Aintree: Politogue takes third swing at Marsh Chase, which he won in 2018

When racing is held, the gelding Politogue has been a fixture at the Aintree Grand National meeting in recent years.

Politogue won the Grade 1 JLT Melling Chase at 2 1/2 miles in 2018 and was second in the same race in 2019. There was no Grand National meeting in 2020 because of the coronavirus, but the session will be held from Thursday through Saturday this week.

While the Grand National is the main race on Saturday, Politogue will have his familiar position in Friday’s Grade 1 Marsh Chase, which has had a name change since 2019 but is still the top steeplechase of the week at 2 1/2 miles.

:: Bet horse racing on DRF Bets. Double Your First Deposit Up to $250. Join Now.

Trained by Paul Nicholls, Politogue was 11-4 in early betting on Wednesday, the same price as Irish shipper Fakir D’oudairies. Politogue, 10, won the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Trophy, a chase at about two miles at Sandown Park in December, and was second in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at 2 1/8 miles at Ascot on Jan.23, his only starts in the current jump racing season.

Fakir D’oudairies has been more active, finishing second three times in four starts, all in Grade 1 or Grade 2 races in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Fakir D’oudairies was second in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at 2 9/16 miles at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 18.

The $257,718 Marsh Chase has a field of eight and is the richest race on a seven-race program that begins at 8:45 a.m. Eastern, or 5:45 a.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

There are three other Grade 1 races on the program. In the $103,087 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at 3 1/4 miles, Chantry House will be favored to win his third consecutive race for top British trainer Nicky Henderson. Chantry House won the Grade 1 Marsh Novices’ Chase at 2 1/4 miles at Cheltenham on March 18. This will be the longest race of his career.