Racecards
14:35 Aintree
Tote Becher Chase (A Showcase Handicap) (Class B)
- 15 Runners
- Distance: 3m 3f
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Form 33601-0
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey C Llewellyn
prominent when fell 2nd
- Form 13/P513-
- Age 9
- Weight 11-8
held up behind, ridden 4 out, headway when badly blundered 2 out, not troubled leaders
- Form 001P1-2
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
in touch until lost place 9th, soon behind, kept on one-paced from 2 out
- Form 035PP-0
- Age 9
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer M Pitman
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
mid-division, hit 15th and soon behind
- Form 0P653-0
- Age 9
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey A Thornton
towards rear, hampered 2nd, fell 9th
- Form 0F6-241
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey W Marston
behind when unseated rider 1st
- Form 501-363
- Age 10
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey A Dobbin
mid-division, hit 8th (water jump), headway 15th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, kept on, no impression
- Form 51120-4
- Age 10
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer I Balding
- Jockey M Bradburne
prominent, mistake 9th, hampered and fell 11th
- Form 52PP2-6
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Mrs L Williamson
- Jockey B P Harding
led, mistakes, headed 12th, weakened 5 out
- Form 02P046-
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer C Roche
- Jockey Paul Moloney
held up mid-division, headway 9th, blundered badly 13th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
- Form 113-P35
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer J R Cornwall
- Jockey A Ross
held up, headway 12th, in 4th when fell 3 out
- Form 00U-PP5
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey R McGrath
prominent, mistake 13th, ridden and lost place 15 (beaches)
Ardent Scout
22- Form 50-1332
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
always prominent, led 3 out, driven clear approaching last, easily
Impertio
11- Form U20P-44
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer P Beaumont
- Jockey B Storey
held up, headway and badly hampered 3 out
- Form 5U30-P5
- Age 11
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey D O'Meara
prominent, led 12th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
In depth
Verdict
Ginger McCain, who guided the legendary Red Rum to three Grand National victories in the 70s, has few peers when it comes to preparing a chaser for these daunting fences and can follow up last year's success in this event with Amberleigh House. The son of Buckskin jumped well throughout to land this prestigious prize from the re-opposing Smarty twelve months ago and, with fitness guaranteed, the 10-year-old looks sure to give another solid account off a fair mark so gets the TEAMtalk vote. There are plenty of dangers such as this year's National hero Bindaree who will be sharper for a recent return over an inadequate trip and has the class to shoulder top weight. Blowing Wind failed to last home when third in the world's greatest steeplechase in April and will pose a big danger if back to the form of his victory in the Mildmay Of Flete in March despite a subsequent 7lb rise. Village King and Moor Lane, who wears visors for the first time, are others to consider having had recent pipeopeners. However, recent Wetherby winner (now 5lb higher) Goguenard needs to erase the memory of a first fence fall in this year's National and Irish challenger Shannon Gale races from 3lb out of the handicap on his seasonal return.