held up, chased leaders approaching 8th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on from last
soon tracking leaders, ridden after 4 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on, no impression
held up behind, headway when hit 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
made all, ridden from 2 out, kept on well
chased leader, weakened from 3 out
prominent, pushed along 8th, soon reminders, ridden after 4 out, soon outpaced
towards rear, headway to go mid-division approaching 4th, ridden after 4 out, soon outpaced
soon mid-division, tracked leaders after 6th, chased winner approaching 3 out until weakened approaching last
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, headway approaching next, stayed on
held up in rear when fell 7th
Nonrunner
Mirage Dore, PRINCE TAIME and The Package appeal most and we'll stick with the Hobbs runner who arguably has less to prove. A good quality race where the topweights may hold sway unless The Shoe manages to live up to earlier expectations but there's been little sign of that in his three runs since arriving from New Zealand. The Package was gambled on to win a handicap chase at Newbury but ran a little free, as is his wont, and was unlucky to bump into a revitalised New Little Bric. He's followed that with one poor run and one decent one when stepped up to three miles at Cheltenham and remains a horse to be interested in. Mirage Dore ran a blinder at the Cheltenham Festival but failed to run up to that level at Aintree over a longer trip which shouldn't have been an issue; he'll need a career best to score from this mark. Prince Taime has been raised 5lbs for his Aintree second where he was a shade unfortunate to bump into a well handicapped winner. He has improved since being stepped up in trip and appeals as the most progressive and reliable of the trio. How's Business can't be ignored but Teddy's Reflection is the most interesting of the remainder although he has plenty to prove having run a couple of moderate races since winning in December. There are no question marks hanging over Prince Taime and he can reign.
Mirage Dore (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, one pace from next, 7th of 21, 20l behind Time For Rupert (10-10) at Aintree 3m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Prince Taime (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 8th, challenge from 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 22, 4l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
The Package 40-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, hampered 6th, headway approaching 2 out, switched right before last, kept on well flat, 3rd of 24, 1 3/4l behind Made In Japan (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
How's Business 15-2 (10-6) Held up in mid-division, headway to track leaders 3 out, led soon after 2 out, driven out and kept on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Apr beating Hora (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Victorias Groom (GER) (10-10) 6th of 9, 29l behind Melcastle (10-12) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f hdl in Apr.
Teddy's Reflection (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up, raced keenly, always in rear, weakened 7th, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Time For Rupert (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
The Shoe (NZ) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 15, 17l behind Snake Charmer (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gs in Mar.
Rathcor 7-1fav (10-5) Held up, headway 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden and weakened soon after, 10th of 24, 26l behind Made In Japan (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr.
Overstrand (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Held up in 4th, pushed along 3 out, weakened under pressure after 2 out, 6th of 9, 23l behind First Point (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Apr.
Valento 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on, 6th of 18, 9l behind You're The Top (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Chased leader, hit 4th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 9, 50l behind Tataniano (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
