Front-running Before Midnight could be the one in a fast and furious Red Rum

Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 5yo+ | 2m | ITV

This fast and furious two-mile chase around Aintree's tight turns is often a burn up in the early stages, but that does not necessarily mean you want to be held up for a late flourish.

Modern day handicap chases with big fields like this tend to be dominated by horses who are able to race on the pace and it doesn't matter how much energy you have to burn to get there. Just look at last year when Editeur Du Gite won the early battle and nothing got him.

All of the last five winners either led early or tracked the leaders and both Katachenko (2016) and Moon Over Germany (2019) made most from early on. You simply have to go forward.

Before Midnight has been making hay from the front this season and has won two of his four starts this campaign. He was second to Champion Chase runner-up Funambule Sivola at Doncaster last time and is set to put the pedal to the metal here. Elixir De Nutz, who was pulled up in the Grand Annual last time, could be the one to press Before Midnight for the lead.

Frero Banbou was a running-on fourth to Editeur Du Gite in this race last season off a mark 5lb lower than this and he ran a remarkable race to take third in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham after becoming badly outpaced, making several places in the home straight.

However, heavy rain and heavy ground on a stiff track like Cheltenham provided a sterner stamina test than this sharp course on better going will. He needs to stay in touch this time.

Henry de Bromhead was responsible for Moon Over Germany in 2019 and is triple-handed with Dancing On My Own, Bold Enough and Zarkareva. The trainer takes this meeting more seriously than many of his Irish counterparts and is 6-51 (+£21 to £1 level-stakes) all time.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Dolos and Thyme White
Dolos usually comes good in the spring and bounced back to form at Sandown last time in a race he has made his own. He's been raised 5lbs and this race looks much more competitive but we will give it a go. Thyme White won stylishly at Doncaster and I kept him fresh for the Grand Annual but pulled him out when the ground turned heavy. I then gave him a few quiet days and wonder if he might just have needed the race at Ascot where he was left in front much sooner than ideal. He's quick over his fences, should get the fast run race he needs, and goes to Aintree with sound claims.

Sam Thomas, trainer of Before Midnight
He's been very consistent all season and a superstar for the yard. I'm glad we pulled him out at Cheltenham, it wouldn't have suited him at all and it means we're coming in here a bit fresher than some and his form with Funambule Sivola was given a boost at the Festival. It's a tough race with a lot of horses in there who have been running very well all season but he couldn't be in better form.

Joe Tizzard, assistant trainer of Elixir De Nutz
He hated the ground in the Grand Annual on that wet day at Cheltenham, but the time before he was impressive on decent ground at Kempton. If he gets into a nice rhythm on a bit of nice ground, hopefully he'll bounce back. It's a competitive race but he's a good horse on his day.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Frero Banbou
He was fourth in this race last year and it looks fiercely competitive again. He's come out of the Cheltenham Festival well after finishing third in the Grand Annual. He's one of ours who doesn't mind relatively good ground.

Dan Skelton, trainer of King D'Argent
He ran well in a small field race at Doncaster last time but it was a bit frustrating he got beat a neck and has gone up a pound. He's been waiting for spring ground and I think he'll be competitive.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Shakem Up'Arry
He could do with some rain as he prefers soft ground. He's on a very workable mark and is a decent horse when on song.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Gunsight Ridge
He's been trained for the race and we missed Cheltenham to come here as a fresh horse. He's in good form, he was a good winner at Sandown on his penultimate start and hopefully he's got a good each-way chance.

Evan Williams, trainer of The Last Day
It's a good race, really competitive, it's fantastic. He's been plagued with leg problems and has been a devil of a horse to keep sound, any rain they got would be appreciated and on his day he's more than capable.
Reporting by Stuart Riley

Thursday's Aintree previews:

1.45 Aintree: 'This was always the target' – Nicholls hoping to crack Grade 1 with Pic D'Orhy

2.20 Aintree: 'You'd like to think he'll take a bit of beating' – Elliott confident in Piper

2.55 Aintree: Gold Cup third Protektorat out to prove best of British in Bowl at Aintree

3.30 Aintree: intermediate trip sets up fascinating clash between Epatante and Zanahiyr

4.05 Aintree: is Jett ready for take-off? Expert analysis and key quotes on the Foxhunters'

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