The usual thrills and spills over the unique fences but no winner of this race has gone on to take the Grand National itself - ahead of Clan Royal's third attempt today - and most of this field would have to improve even to make the line-up - only five are rated above the cut-off BHB rating of 134 in today's race. And question marks over several on the score of form or effectiveness on track or ground rendered this a less competitive renewal than usual, though they went a cracking pace and, as usual on this course, an ability to get into a rhythm in touch early on was important.

LIBERTHINE was one of the few proven class acts in the field, thanks to her win in the Mildmay of Flete last season, and having got behind and been hampered in the first half of this race last year, she was given an ideal ride this time by a jockey whose efforts on this course belie his inexperience, always in touch, moving up to dispute the lead two out, colliding with the runner-up jumping the last but leading on the run-in to score tidily. She stays further but we will never know whether she could have reproduced this effort in the more competitive environment of the Grand National, as she reportedly heads to the paddocks.

Hakim had proven himself over course and distance when winning the Grand Sefton Chase in the autumn and ran another storming race, in the front rank from the off, yet sticking to his task admirably in the closing stages and posting another career best. Like stablemate Jacks Craic, he has made giant strides this season, which he started by winning off a mark of 88, and could well be up to defying the handicapper again next season - he jumps well and will always be of interest over this course.

The drying ground helped Pak Jack, who very much caught they eye in the smooth way he made his ground in the middle part of the race, only to flatten out in the latter stages. He has definite stamina limitations and has shown his best form over a shorter trip - he is well worth keeping an eye on returned to two miles.

Polar Red had run well for a long way in the National last year and showed more than previously this season, particularly as he was behind early on, while Lou du Moulin Mas remains frustrating and ran only a fair race with the blinkers removed. Va Vavoom has been racing over further and ran as though he would be suited by a return to longer distances, while Mixsterthetrixster ran well for a fair way - as he had done over further on his previous start - and Scots Grey could not confirm the promise of his effort in this race in 2004 - he does not seem in such good form. Conditions may have made this too much of a test of speed for Le Passing.

Most of the fallers departed too early to suggest how they would have fared. Be My Better Half was in touch when he unseated his rider four out, but he was just being pushed along - ground conditions may have been too quick for him too. [DC]

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