THE famous Grand National fences return for the first time this jumps season in Saturday’s brilliant Grand Sefton Chase.
It’s our first chance to see how some top class chasers fare over the unique challenge – and maybe identify one for the big race in April.
Here, Templegate goes through every runner, rates them out of five stars and reveals his tip and 1-2-3 prediction at the bottom.
The race will be live on ITV4 and is due off at Aintree at 2.40pm on Saturday.
Templegate’s Grand Sefton Chase runner-by-runner guide
JOHNNYWHO 4
JOHNNY on spot. Smart stayer who ended last season with fine runs in the Kim Muir and Irish National, shaping as if still on the up. Proven on soft and stays well. First try over these fences but profile fits perfectly.
COLONEL HARRY 3
HURRY Harry. Classy 2½m performer with Grade 1 form here and proven in soft. Fell when still in contention at Cheltenham last time. Has quality if fit after break.
OUR POWER 5
POWER surge. Ultra-reliable handicapper with fine big-race record. Ran boldly for a long way in the 2023 Grand National, proving he handles these fences before running out of juice. Trip and ground ideal, mark workable. Sam Thomas will have him ready to go.
WHITE RHINO 4
WHITE lightning. Took well to fences last term with decisive wins at Ayr and Haydock before bleeding at Doncaster. Stays 2½m strongly and acts on soft. Goes well fresh and has the champ up.
SEDDON 2
SED and done. Veteran with best efforts at around this trip on good or soft . Yet to tackle these fences but jumps fine. Fit from the Flat but this is tough.
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KING TURGEON 4
KING has crown. Bold front runner who won this race last year loving the National fences. Later pulled up twice but earlier wins at Cheltenham and here showed class. Soft ground and trip ideal, big run expected again.
MAHONS GLORY 2
GLORY game. Consistent chaser who notched wins at Leicester and Stratford last term. Stays well and effective on most ground. Needs more at this level.
EXCELLO 3
EXCEL adds up. Promising novice who shaped better than result in the Topham, still close when a late error ended his chance. Handles soft and stays. Could improve again and hit the frame.
JET PLANE 3
JET powered. Ran a stormer when second in the 2025 Foxhunters’ over these fences. Returns fit from solid Worcester effort. Acts on soft and stays, though trip may prove sharp. Definite player.
FRERO BANBOU 3
FRER we go again. Rehearsal Chase winner last term before losing form but was a good third in this in 2023 and sixth last year so clearly handles the unique fences. Well treated, proven on soft and stays. Dangerous if back to best.
NOCTE VOLATUS 2
NOT Nocte. Dual winner early last season who likes to force the pace. Stays 2½m well and handles soft going. Jumping can let him down so fences a worry.
MOUNT TEMPEST 1
MOUNT a low. Won nicely at Worcester after changing yards but poor at Chepstow latest. Stays and handles soft but unreliable. Yet to face these fences and needs to show more spark to feature.
BLEU D’ENFER 3
TRUE Bleu. Progressive Irish winner who joined Aintree hero Donald McCain after scoring at Carlisle. Effective on soft and stays further. Can make the odd mistake but improving. First try over these fences and could sneak a place.
VINTAGE FIZZ 3
FIZZ can fire. Second to King Turgeon in this last year, jumping really well. Below form since but conditions suit and has clear aptitude for the fences. Needs to bounce back but not one to dismiss.
GABORIOT 3
GIFT of the Gab. Fine third in this race last year after a couple of prep runs. Likes this ground but not seen since pulling up in the marathon Eider in February. Each-way appeal if fit.
HAPPY AND FINE 1
FINE won’t pay. Fair handicapper who didn’t fire last season. Front-runner who stays 2½m and likes soft. Down weights but not the easiest comeback race.
IF NOT FOR DYLAN 1
NOT Dylan. Genuine chaser who returned with solid third here over normal fences last month. Made a late mistake which would prove costly today. Stays and is on a nice weight but needs to raise his game.
Templegate’s Grand Sefton tip and 1-2-3 prediction
Our Power can grab the glory in the Grand Sefton Chase.
Trainer Sam Thomas won this race three years ago and has a big chance with this 10-year-old who ran with promise on his sole try over these fences in the 2023 Grand National.
He jumped well there and just found two laps of the track too much.
This is just one circuit of the famous course which should be ideal.
Last year’s winner King Turgeon looks a threat again along with Johnnywho who looks perfect for this challenge despite carrying top weight.
White Rhino could also bounce back too for local trainers Greenall and Guerriero.
1st Our Power
2nd King Turgeon
3rd Johnnywho
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