Racing Performance of the Week: Min, Politologue, Star Gate or Vieux Lion Rouge?

It was also Paul Nicholls’ 11th Tingle Creek win, with another Nicholls’ runner, Greaneteen, coming second.

Star Gate

Star Gate’s future looks very bright after sauntering home in the Ballymore Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown to maintain his unbeaten record.

The step up in class didn’t seem to pose a problem for the Evan Williams-trained four-year-old. In difficult conditions, he showed a good turn of foot to charge up the hill and establish an unassailable lead between the final two flights.

With only three runners here, you sense that he’d be even better in a more strongly run race.

Vieux Lion Rouge

Vieux Lion Rouge stormed home to win the Becher Chase for a second time at Aintree. Rolling back the years, the 11-year-old jumped into the lead at the second last and sped away to win by 24 lengths.

Only eight of the 14 runners made it home, with Walk In The Mill’s bid for a historic threepeat ending at the Chair.

Vieux Lion Rouge seems to love the famous Aintree course though, making it home on all nine of his starts there. He’s now jumped a total of 223 Grand National fences. Speaking after the race, trainer David Pipe said he’s now considering giving him a fifth crack at the Grand National.

View the latest horse racing odds.

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication