Virgin Bet Old Roan Chase: Runner-by-Runner Guide and Verdict

Weight: 11st 12lb          Odds: 9-2 

For many punters, he has transcended a cliff horse to become a leap-off-Everest-without-safety-helmet-and-protective-goggles horse. 

Much to the pain of those that have diligently supported him since that exhilarating Mildmay success in April 2022, Ahoy Senor has simply flattered to deceive. 

From erratic jumping to over-zealous racing, Lucinda Russell’s inmate has sadly fallen into the “enigmatic” category, which is never necessarily a good thing. 

Yet when he rocks up at Aintree, all trespasses can often be forgiven. 

Ahoy Senor’s career highlights have been at the Merseyside circuit, where he showed that the fires still burn brightly when a close second to Gerri Colombe in the Bowl in April. 

A repeat of that run will see him easily win this. But given his chequered past, should the Ahoy Senor loyalists dare to dream once again? 

Weight: 11st 6lb          Odds: 9-2 

The world was his lobster when he dazzled in the Turners two seasons ago, before which he was three from four over fences. 

Stage Star also looked like an elite operator last November when he overcame plenty of adversity to triumph in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. 

That big performance perhaps left its mark last season, though, as he was never really a factor in the Ryanair Chase. 

In a textbook summer move, and seemingly nonplussed by what happened at the Festival, Paul Nicholls called in the vets to give the eight-year-old a wind operation. 

That procedure has historically given many horses from Ditcheat a little pick-me-up, and Stage Star ought to be no exception to that rule. 

This is, however, crucially the time to catch him. 

His best body of work has been archived when a fresh horse and this, as reported by his trainer, has been the plan for quite some time. 

Weight: 11st           Odds: 6-1 

Big things were expected of him over fences following his transfer from France four years ago. 

And though he has hitherto had a solid career  - you’re no mug to bank £288,000 in prize-money – maybe the eight-year-old has not kicked on as much as connections might have hoped. 

Hitman has, after all, not yet won a Graded race, while a tongue-tie, blinkers and cheekpieces have all been used in a bid to eke out a little more from him. 

Despite having finished last in this 12 months ago, he should go well to a point and, by and large, enjoys running left-handed at Aintree. 

Fascinatingly, though, he still holds an entry in the Grand Sefton here next month. 

Instead of falling short against proper horses, Nicholls might well have those sort of races in mind for him this season. 

Weight: 10st 6lb          Odds: 16/1 

With two wins from 13 starts over fences, Dan Skelton’s nine-year-old grey is not quite good enough to deliver in top-class company. 

And despite winning on his comeback at Chepstow, Skelton perhaps knew that last season and trained him accordingly. 

The end product was nothing short of spectacular as he cut loose in the Grand Annual to execute another famous handicap plot for the Alcester maestro. 

Unexpected Party has three times been stuffed out of sight by Stage Star and is clearly a smarter horse over two miles than this trip. 

Skelton will surely once again be more attentive to this one’s handicap mark with a view to the Festivals rather than achieving short-term glory in the autumn.

Weight: 10st 6lb          Odds: 6-1 

As has become commonplace within the jumps game, a Cholmondeley resident takes aim at a big race with deafeningly silent fanfare. 

Not that Donald McCain and Brian Hughes will give two hoots about that, of course, but it seems only the bookmakers have his number as Minella Drama is plenty short enough in the betting. 

The nine-year-old was disappointing last season, but he is now sensibly weighted. 

Indeed, it would have been fascinating to see what might have been in this race last season had the final three fences not been omitted due to a low sun. 

Minella Drama lacked the pace to go with Jetoile, but many good judges believe McCain’s runner would have won with a full complement of fences.

With conditions seemingly made to measure - fingers crossed for a cloudy day - it feels like another big run could be forthcoming.

This is STAGE STAR’s time of the year. 

He will be trained to the minute for this and ought to prove too smart for Minella Drama, who should also bring his A-game to the table and can complete the Exacta.