Expert Analysis

The Aintree Grand National Meeting started on ground that was “good” on the Mildmay Chase Course and “good to soft” on the Hurdles Course, judged on times, with breezy conditions drying the surface to a small degree through the card. This race was won in marginally the fastest time since jumps distances started to be returned with true accuracy in 2015, though there have been variations in yardage added due to rail movements in that time. It was a truly-run affair (winner’s final 4f of 54.94s gives a finishing speed of 107.7%, which is slightly faster than par) and resulted in good time within context, which is why it has been rated a bit ahead of the usual race standards.

IMPAIRE ET PASSE (c157 here, 151 previously) was the best of these as a hurdler in his prime by some distance and got closer to that level with a polished performance, first-time cheekpieces seeming to make quite a difference. He travelled sweetly in mid-field a bit wide until improving smoothly to lead between the last 2, jumping right at the final fence and kept up to his work. There could be better to come from him in open company next season, when he could well get an easy 3m.

GIDLEIGH PARK (c156 here and previously) probably achieved more than realised at the time when beating Caldwell Potter in an apparently good time at Windsor and confirmed himself very smart, making most and jumping well bar getting too low at a couple, headed between the last 2 and keeping on. He seemed not to stay a testing 3m over hurdles but has grown up since and may be worth another try at the trip when conditions are like these.

JANGO BAIE (c156 here, 157+ previously) was close to the form of his Arkle win and that despite making a serious mistake at the 11th, taking a while to get back on an even keel and running on well from approaching the last. Despite having won at such a high level at 2m, he is going to prove at least as good at this trip.

BOOMBAWN (c153 here, 145 previously) ran his best race yet, though there had been a hint of it when he was second to Rubaud on disadvantageous terms the time before, held up in touch before improving nicely after 4 out, briefly short of room between the last 2 then one paced. He shapes as if 20f is far enough for him.

RUBAUD (c140 here, 149 previously) was a bit disappointing, failing to see out his race having raced prominently and still been disputing second 2 out.

MARK OF GOLD (c130 here, 144 previously) had plenty on his plate but disappointed even so, in trouble turning in.

CROKE PARK (c125 here, 153 previously) possibly found conditions too quick, close up until outpaced after 4 out.

THE KALOOKI KID (c124 here, 137 previously)

FASCILE MODE (c0 here, 136? previously)