The 2018 Grand Sefton Chase betting tips given by Horsebetting.com experts say the well-weighted Shanahan’s Turn is the value bet land the spoils in the 2m 5f contest over the Grand National fences at Aintree on Saturday, 8 December, for trainer Colin Tizzard. The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Crievehill is on an upward curve and therefore rates the main danger. Of those at bigger odds, the progressive Forest Des Aigles appeals each-way. Read our in-depth 2018 Grand Sefton Chase betting tips preview below for more details on these horses’ chances.Shanahan’s Turn value to land Grand SeftonShanahan’s Turn looks decent value to land the spoils in the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree on Saturday (15:15), a handicap run over 2m 5f and the Grand National fences. This Colin Tizzard trained 10-year-old is on a long losing run, but has become well-treated as a result and has course and distance form to his name.
The gelding was a three-time scorer over fences when trained in Ireland by Henry De Bromhead, and enjoyed his finest hour when winning the 2015 Galway Plate where he beat The Paparazzi King by 5 1/2 lengths off a mark of 142. He was put up to 153 for that success and has failed to get his head in front since, but has only had 11 subsequent starts and has clearly not been the easiest to train.
However, he shaped as if retaining plenty of ability at the Cheltenham festival back in March when ninth of 22 to The Storyteller in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase off 127, when running a good race until weakening before the last to be beaten 20 lengths.
Strong show when second over course and distance
That was just his second start for Tizzard and Shanahan’s Turn backed it up with a cracking second of 27 to stable companion Ultragold in the Topham Chase over course and distance at the Grand National meeting. The son of Indian Danehill jumped well throughout and, after closing up three from home, stuck on gamely up the long run-in to go down by 3 3/4 lengths off a mark of 134,
Shanahan’s Turn also ran well on seasonal reappearance at Chepstow in October when a keeping on 7 1/4 lengths third to the classy Charbel off 137, and is now able to race in this off 2lb lower. A revised rating of 135 is just 1lb higher than his terrific run in the Topham, so that gives him major claims at the weights on the pick of his form.
With underfoot conditions ideal and jockey Tom Scudamore, who teamed up with the yard last weekend to land the Ladbrokes Trophy aboard Sizing Tennessee for the same owners, in the plate for the first time, everything looks in place for a huge run. Shanahan’s Turn, therefore, had to be the main selection in our 2018 Grand Sefton Chase betting tips.Progressive Crievehill looks sure to go wellTrainer Nigel Twiston-Davies saddled Little Josh to win the race in 2012 and looks to have a leading contender this time around in the shape of Crievehill. This six-year-old progressed throughout last seen when sent chasing, winning twice and posting some solid efforts in defeat.
In the last of those successes over 2m 4f at Sandown, Crievehill forged clear to slam Aloomomo by 20 lengths off a mark of 128. He backed that up with an excellent staying on length second to Amber Gambler off 9lb higher at Haydock.
Those runs suggested there would be even better to come from the son of Arcadio, and that view was confirmed when he finished a cracking two-length second of 13 to Javert in a competitive affair at Uttoxeter back in September off 139.
The winner, from who he was receiving just 1lb, has since gone on to finish a fine second in the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase at this venue off a rating of 149, before being far from disgraced when sixth of 18 to Baron Alco in the valuable BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham off a mark of 150.
That gives the form a solid look and suggests a 7lb rise in the weights to a mark of 146 for Crievehill is fully justified. He is also versatile as regards ground and goes well for jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, who has won once and been second three times on him in four starts over fences.
So, with further improvement looking assured, and the step up to 2m 5f promising to suit, Crievehill has plenty in his favour and thus rates the main danger to Shanahan’s Turn in our 2018 Grand Sefton Chase betting tips.Forest Des Aigles the each-way playOf those at bigger odds, the progressive Forest Des Aigles makes most appeal. This seven-year-old hails from the Scottish-based yard of Grand National winning trainer Lucinda Russell and has won five of his 10 starts over the larger obstacles.
He looked better than ever in the last of those on seasonal reappearance at Ayr last month when beating Monbeg River by three lengths off a mark of 130. Forest Des Aigles overcame a mistake four from home when closing and, after taking up the running at the last, forged clear on the run-in to score with real authority.
It was a most taking display and the son of Balko was value for more than the winning margin. The runner-up had previously run well to finish third in a decent class 2 affair at this venue, whilst the fourth home Acdc went into the race having landed the Bobby Renton at Wetherby in good style.
That gives the form a solid look and makes a 4lb rise in the weights for Forest Des Aigles look on the lenient side. He has already built up a really likeable profile and appeals as the type to go on improving.
The stable also does well with it’s runners in this type of event and any further rain that arrives on Merseyside will only increase the chances of Forest Des Aigles. He therefore features as the each-way punt and completes our 2018 Grand Sefton Chase betting tips.Your Next Bet
