Around The Tracks

AT Aintree on Saturday, the featured race was the Grand Sefton Chase over the Grand National fences, and the race saw Colonel Harry (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) bounce back to winning ways after his 2024/25 campaign was cut short by a fall at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

The eight-year-old made a big move around the outside running to the penultimate fence and he kept going well to lead at the elbow, beating Gaboriot (Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero/Robbie Dunne) by two lengths. He now heads to the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Carlisle

There was a good card at Carlisle on Monday, featuring the hurdling debut of Mydaddypaddy (Dan/Harry Skelton), who won with ease from Harbour Island, who has previously won both his bumpers for Olly Murphy.

The winner is a Walk In The Park half-brother to winners out of the useful dual-purpose mare Debdebdeb, and was carrying the colours of Dermot Hanafin, best known for the exploits of Cinders And Ashes, winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. This gelding was swiftly slashed in the ante-post lists for that race and will be targeted at the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day, with the Supreme his long-term target.

Bangor

Ben Pauling was in double form at Bangor on Tuesday, with Fine Casting winning the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase, and he and Ben Jones were on the mark in the Listed Mares’ Chase as Diva Luna made an impressive debut over the larger obstacles.

The 7/4 shot jumped flawlessly and was 19 lengths too strong for favourite Joyeuse, looking one to follow when the ground is soft.