This years Old Roan Chase is sponsored by Betfred has the name of the three times winner of the race Monet's Garden.

The race is a Grade 2 National Hunt chase and is a race for horses that are at least four years old. Although being the first big chase of the season and run at The Grand National racecourse it is not run over the national fences but is run on Aintree's "normal" Mildmay racecourse. The distance of the race is 2 miles 4 furlongs and there are 16 fences to be jumped.

A disapointing renewal of this first major chase of the season. With the running of Master Minded, much of the field would have run from out of the handicap and therefore were withdrawn at the overnight stage however a good challenge in prospect with Alberta's Run getting 10lbs from Master Minded and if both horses run up to their form we could see a good finish.





List of Runners


1 111181- MASTER MINDED 8 11-10 Paul Nicholls .
2 24FP12- ALBERTAS RUN 10 11-0 Jonjo O´Neill .
3 321/35- TATANIANO 7 10-6 Paul Nicholls > NON-RUNNER
4 400-701 FINGER ONTHE PULSE 10 10-0 T J Taaffe > NON-RUNNER
5 53F7-4U NOBLE ALAN 8 10-0 Nicky Richards > NON-RUNNER
6 6121F34 PURE FAITH 7 10-0 Peter Bowen .
7 71821U- FINE PARCHMENT 8 10-0 Noel Fehily > NON-RUNNER
8 843R421 RIO GAEL 5 10-0 Peter Bowen > NON-RUNNER
9 91215-1 HAVINGOTASCOOBYDO 6 10-0 Martin Keighley > NON-RUNNER

Race Preview

MASTER MINDED

This top class chaser is a two times winner of the Queen mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham festival (2008 2009).
After a disappointing 8th in last seasons champion chase he was stepped up to two and a half miles in his final start when he met his main rival today Albertas Run in the grade 1 JOHN SMITH'S MELLING CHASE at this course in April. Master Minded was very impressive that day winning by 9 lengths with Albertas Run 2nd, however that was at level weights and today in this handicap he has to give him 10lbs.
The best horse and the trainer reports the horse has worked well recently and giving lumps of weight all round but he still looks like the likely winner if nothing goes wrong.

ALBERTAS RUN

Another top class chaser and winner of the last two seasons RYANAIR CHASE at the festival over 2m 5f.
Runs well at the course but was disappointing 4th of 6 finishers over 40 lengths behind the winner in this race last season.
This horse is from the top J.J.O'Neill stable and may have the top jockey on board. With a 10 lb pull in the weights from Master Minded winning this is certainly not beyond him and if the top weight makes any sort of mistake he is sure to take advantage of it.

TATANIANO NON_RUNNER

Non-runner - Trainer states that this horse will run at Chepstow.

FINGER ONTHE PULSE NON_RUNNER

Like most of the field today this horse will run from out of the handicap (8lbs ) but comes here after a good win in a two and a half mile chase at Listowel. Likes cut in the ground and would be much better if the ground was heavy. Not without a chance to make the frame but has plenty on his plate with the two main contenders despite being from the strong Irish stable of Tom Taffe.

NOBLE ALAN NON_RUNNER

Former winner of the Scottish champion hurdle this grey gelding seemed to move well in his novice chase year but has not fulfilled his potential. Looks to have plenty to do here from 12 lbs out of the handicap.

PURE FAITH

A nice consistent type who unfortunately comes here with three disappointing runs so far this season. A course winner last season in a novice event this horse could be something of a dark horse and could well run into a place from 18 lbs out of the handicap.

FINE PARCHMENT NON_RUNNER

A well exposed horse running from 19 lbs out of the handicap. Would need to improve somewhat to take part in the finish here but a move in the market for this horse should not be ignored.

RIO GAEL NON_RUNNER

Another good horse from the Peter Bowen stable who has run well at Haydock which suggests this course may suit despite a poor run on his only start here in a handicap hurdle. A young chaser who may have some temperament trouble having once refused to race. Comes here on the back of a good win in a handicap chase at Fontwell at the tail end of last month but is another who will have to improve a lot to take part in the finish.

HAVINGOTASCOOBYDO NON_RUNNER

A nice consistent young horse who has won 4 of his 8 starts under rules. Clearly on the upgrade and can be judged how good he is after this race. Looks to have an impossible chance at the weights and would be a surprise winner.

The Selection is Master Minded

Next Best is Alberta's Run

Result of the Race


1 st ALBERTAS RUN 10 11-0 Jonjo O´Neill A.P.McCoy        
2 nd PURE FAITH 7 10-0 Peter Bowen T.O'Brian
3 rd MASTER MINDED 8 11-10 Paul Nicholls R.Walsh

 
 
 
 
 


Past Winners

Year Winner Age Weight Trainer Jockey
2010 Monet's Garden 12 11-07 Nicky Richards Dougie Costello
2009 Monet's Garden 11 11-10 Nicky Richards Barry Geraghty
2008 Knowhere 10 10-05 Nigel Twiston-Davies Paddy Brennan
2007 Monet's Garden 9 10-10 Nicky Richards Tony Dobbin
2006 Kauto Star 6 11-10 Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh
2005 Impek 9 10-07 Henrietta Knight Timmy Murphy

The inaugural race was held in 2004 and was then called The Wigan Chase

The result was : Farmer Jack 8 11-01 Philip Hobbs Paul Flynn Farmer Jack 8 11-01 Philip Hobbs Paul Flynn