Aintree Bowl Chase 2023: Tips, Runners & Prediction

Aintree Bowl Chase 2023 Runners

Ahoy Senor

Trainer: Lucinda Russell 
Jockey: Brian Hughes
Odds: 6/1
Form: 15351F 

Lucinda Russell’s smart chaser, Ahoy Senor, was still going strongly at the head of affairs and in the process of running a big race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup when he unfortunately made a mistake at the top of the hill and took an uncharacteristic fall. 

It was a shame that happened, as his jumping had been near foot-perfect up until his departure but, nevertheless, he will be given the chance to redeem himself in Thursday’s feature chase event and could do so, given it’s his favourite venue. 

The eight-year-old is additionally unbeaten in two starts at this meeting for the last two years, who knows this track so well, having claimed Grade 1 honours in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle two years ago before winning the Mildmay Novices' Chase last year, where both wins were gained from the front. 

In both of those victories, he beat King George winner Bravemansgame on both occasions, so the form is strong plus this course undoubtedly suits him better than anywhere else. In the hope that his latest fall hasn’t affected his confidence, he must have a solid chance. 

A Plus Tard 

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore 
Odds: 7/2
Form: 2121PP

Last year’s Gold Cup winner, A Plus Tard, has been limited to just two starts since his heroics at the Festival last year, in which the nine-year-old has majorly disappointed in each start, where he has failed to complete in both the Betfair Chase and in the Gold Cup when trying to defend his title. 

He is still the highest rated in the field at 175, but that is questionable, as it looks to me like he has regressed this season, though he wasn't helped by being badly hampered at the worst time in the Gold Cup when still going quite well. Maybe this course, smaller-field will see him stage a revival but he needs a remarkable turnaround in order to win this race and the form of his stable is a concern. 

Still, if Henry can work his magic and get him back to something near his best, he would have outstanding claims. Is he trustworthy enough to be backing him in the expectancy that he will reproduce his best? I’m not quite sure but write him off at your peril, he is no forlorn hope.

Bravemansgame 

Trainer: Paul Nicholls 
Jockey: Harry Cobden 
Odds: 5/2
Form: 114112 

The King George VI Chase winner, Bravemansgame, who finished an excellent second to Galopin Des Champs at the Cheltenham Festival, is likely to be popular amongst punters.

He has taken his form up another notch this season and a reproduction of either his last two performances would surely see him go close given he has established his status as the best staying chaser in Britain when runner-up to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup last time.

I am still not sure why he ran so poorly at this meeting last year when a well beaten last of four in the Mildmay Novices' Chase behind Ahoy Senor. However, there is no doubt he is a stronger horse this season and that below-par effort might have been a one-off plus he has by far the strongest form of the entire field this season, which bodes well for this race. 

He did have the option of travelling to Punchestown but this race is seemingly more winnable and conditions will be ideal as well. He was comfortably in front of Conflated last time at Cheltenham and has less to prove than the likes of Ahoy Senor, Eldorado Allen and A Plus Tard, so mathematically, he is the right favourite. He ticks nearly all of the main trends, so there’s lots to like and his trainer has won this six times. 

Conflated

Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Davy Russell
Odds: 11/2
Form: 1F2313

Gordon Elliott’s Conflated gave substitute rider Sam Ewing a great spin when the pair teamed up to finish third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and would have finished closer to the runner-up without being impeded and short of room when trying to mount a challenge before the second last fence. 

I’m still not convinced Cheltenham fully plays to his strengths despite running well last time and his second in this race last year behind Clan Des Obeaux was a good performance, as he kept on well to only be beaten a length after taking what was a heavy fall in the Ryanair Chase a month earlier at the Cheltenham Festival. 

He is likely to bridge the gap on Bravemansgame at this course and while he had the option of the Grand National, connections feel he is worth another chance in the race to try and go one place better than last year. He has been solid all season and, if any of his market rivals underperform, he’ll be the one to capitalise. He is dangerous to dismiss but he needs another personal best otherwise. 

Ga Law 

Trainer: Jamie Snowden 
Jockey: Johnny Burke 
Odds: 50/1
Form: 3231F5

Ga Law could be the interesting and dark horse in the race, who shaped very well when fifth in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and would have gone close to winning the Sky Bet Chase on his penultimate start but for falling at the last fence when in front. 

Despite falling, it was a really smart weight-carrying performance off top-weight and he ran well on his sole previous visit here in October in the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase. 

His jumping was a bit sticky at times but he kept on very well to finish third over two-miles-three-furlongs before winning a competitive renewal of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on his next start, form that has worked out quite well. 

The way he finished his race in the Ryanair last time suggests a return to a longer trip will suit and he should have more to give over fences, so he could run well but has plenty to find on official ratings. 

Shishkin 

Trainer: Nicky Henderson 
Jockey: Nico De Boinville 
Odds: 3/1
Form: 11P132

First and foremost, it has been fantastic to see Shishkin back to something near his imperious best this season since stepping up in distance and it was full credit to his natural ability and class that he was able to finish second in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham having survived a massive mistake at the third last fence when making ground. 

I was surprised he managed to stay on his feet, as most horses who blunder a fence the way he did, normally end up on the deck, yet he somehow managed to remarkably keep himself off the ground. Not only did he do that but he also managed to get himself back in contention and be beaten less than three lengths. 

Even though he was beaten, there were plenty of positives to take from his performance and he could improve further now tackling three miles for the first time in his career. He comfortably won on this card two years ago, so he has proven form at the course but two hard races the last twice could leave a mark. 

Aintree Bowl Chase 2023 Tips & Prediction 

An excellent renewal of the Aintree Bowl despite the absence of Bravemansgame and CONFLATED (best price 11/2) is fancied to go one place better than last year. 

Gordon Elliott’s charge has improved leaps and bounds over the last couple of seasons and he would have finished much closer in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last-time-out without being impeded twice at a crucial stage of the race. 

He won the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on soft ground two starts back in great style and with Shishkin yet to prove himself over three miles despite looking like the longer trip would suit based on his second last time, this dual Grade 1 winner is fancied to come out on top here.