Grade One Maghull Novices' Chase Guide 2021

The seven year old since falling on his hurdles debut has shown bundles of ability and plenty of gears when it comes to finishing his races which have seen him land three contests in a row at Newbury, Huntingdon and of course Prestbury Park.

His win in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle has since been franked with the narrow second Abacadbras for Gordon Elliott since going on to land the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle, with third Chantry House and fourth Asterion Forlonge both going on to win on chase debut.

Shishkin could not be upstaged and on his first start over fences in November he showed the racing world just how good he is by pinging every fence and showing the turn of foot of last term, when just being nudged by Nico De Boinville and going away from the second placed Mick Pastor with ease.

On his second start over fences he kept his outstanding unbeaten run going with another faultless round of jumping in the Grade Two Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton over Christmas, seeing off Tamaroc Du Mathan by 13 lengths who has since gone on to win the Grade Two Pendil Novices' Chase easily.

Henderson's superstar next time out took his unbeaten record to three races over fences at Doncaster landing the Grade Two Lightning Novices' Chase.

His season was geared up for his run in the Grade One Arkle at the Cheltenham festival and he saw off a superb field with ease to land the race.

He has been nothing short of superb in every race this term and taking on a weaker field than his last race should see him take the race.

Gumball for Phillip Hobbs has been a decent yardstick running on the flat, over hurdles and over fences, but in this event he is severely up against it and not for the first time this year.

The gelding made his Chase debut in September at Uttoxeter finishing third behind the talented Fusil Raffles and then went back over the same course and distance to get off the mark.

From there he improved once more and headed to Cheltenham in a Grade Two over two miles and two out was clear of the field and looked the winner, but unfortunately fell.

He has never recovered from that this season, going to Kempton after that at Christmas and finishing last of four behind Shishkin in the Grade Two Wayward Lad Novices' Chase.

He was then shifted over to hurdles for the Betfair Hurdle and he only beat home two runners in the 23 runner event and on those performances will have to improve to get a place.

The Venetia Williams trained Funambule Sivola has been a highly consistent horse this year and may just be the horse to play for the second spot.

The six year old has been frequently ran in Class 2 and 3 Handicaps this term, winning four of his six events whilst also finishing second in another race.

His latest performance was one of his best when running out an emphatic 23 length winner of a small runner race at Ascot and although no match for Shishkin, could nab a place.

Elvis Mail for Nick Alexander is another consistent two mile chaser in handicap events this term and will be looking to fight it out for the minors.

Having been a smart hurdler last term, he was stepped over fences this season and has stayed competitive winning a four runner event at Ayr on debut.

He then went into a hot Novices' Chase where he was outclassed, but the last twice has finished second behind two smart horses, with the form looking good.

Again, he is a handicapper trying his chance in a Grade One and would need a career best to even grab a place.

The final runner of the race and the big outsider on the day is Longhouse Sale for the Skelton team with the seven year old another one who should be nowhere near a Grade One, but with the field that has turned out may aswell try and grab second.

He has been a mostly smart chaser throughout the year, starting in the summer and landing a hat-trick at Stratford and Uttoxeter twice.

He then stepped up to a Listed event and finished last of the three behind Grand Sancy and Paint The Dream, being massively outclassed.

He was taken for a break and returned for the first time since October last month in a Limited Handicap Chase and looked to massively need the run when pulled up.

Needs to have improved for that run but this looks beyond him.