Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase
Grade 1, Aintree 13:45
£120,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus,
3m 149y, Class 1   
Friday 12th April 2024

BetGoodwin

1 Inothewayurthinkin 6/4F
2 Iroko 9/2
3 Heart Wood 5/1
6 ran Distances: 4l, 1¼l, 2¾l
Time: 6m 42.41s (slow by 30.41s)

Inothewayurthinkin continued his winning streak after his success at the Cheltenham Festival. This time, he got favourite backers off to a good start by taking the Mildmay Novices’ Chase.

Under the guidance of trainer Gavin Cromwell, Inothewayurthinkin had previously pulled off a remarkable victory in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup last month. The betting public once again backed him as he stepped up to compete in Grade 1 company.

During the extended three-mile race, Inothewayurthinkin held fourth position for most of the contest. However, after the cross fence, he found himself relegated to last place. The tightly grouped field turned into the straight, with the front-running Broadway Boy showing signs of fatigue.

Meanwhile, Chianti Classico, the Ultima winner at Prestbury Park, maintained his position at the front, closely challenged by Heart Wood. In a patient ride, Giovinco attempted to close the gap from the outside.

But further out, Inothewayurthinkin found his stride. The six-year-old surged ahead, taking the lead going into the final stretch. Under jockey Mark Walsh, he powered home, securing a convincing four-length victory. In second place was Iroko, who was making only his third chase start.

Cromwell said: "I watched it live and I'd like to see it again. I haven't spoken to Mark yet but his jumping definitely left a bit to be desired but he clearly has a big engine; he looked to have done plenty wrong but still won which is always nice to see.

"I'd say that's it for this season. He's up into big boy company next year and we'll see how that goes but he's going to have to brush up on his jumping but he could do."

Walsh added: "We've gone a proper gallop the whole way. Heading out to the final circuit Sam and David Bass pressed on again and were stretching the field. I was happy enough with where I was but I made a mistake at the third last and also the second last but luckily I had a good enough horse to get me out of trouble.

"I pulled out going to the second last and he just left his hind legs in there a little bit, didn't land running but he picked up well, good run down to the last and once I got ahead going to the last he wasn't for passing."

QuinnBet

Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
£120,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 149y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Soft

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Inothewayurthinkin 6 11-7 Gavin Cromwell M P Walsh 6/4F
2 4 Iroko 6 11-7 Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jonjo O'Neill Jr 9/2
3 1¼ Heart Wood 6 11-7 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 5/1
4 2¾ Chianti Classico 7 11-7 Kim Bailey David Bass 6/1
4 43 Broadway Boy 6 11-7 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 9/1
FELL Giovinco 7 11-7 Lucinda Russell Stephen Mulqueen 8/1

QuinnBet