Aintree's equivalent of the Pertemps, but while it was similar in terms of the number of runners and the rating of the top weight, it was a less competitive affair, with few ‘plot' horses and just two challengers from Ireland, one of whom, Hordago, never went a yard.

The pace was strong. however, and that suited the former smart bumper mare and recent running-on SunAlliance third REFINEMENT, who has improved markedly since she was stepped up in trip and was among the few in the race still demonstrably on the upgrade. There was always a good chance that a mark of 131 would underestimate her, and so it proved. Blinkered for the first time since her Punchestown bumper win, she travelled well at the rear of the pack and was one of only two still on the bridle on the home turn, by which time they were well sorted out. She made her ground smoothly, looked full of running when taking it up two out, and quickly came clear before idling on the run-in. She was value for further and we have still to see the best of her.

Material World, another mare, was ridden much more prominently than the winner and took it up going down the far side. She jumped right when headed two out but kept on well for a clear second. She is very genuine and has come back from injury better than ever.

Mughas had been a solid eighth in the Pertemps and ran his race again, staying on after getting outpaced. He is not easy to place from this mark, but emerges about the same horse as the winner.

Rimsky moved up going well down the far side for the second time but was left behind up the finishing straight. Albany has had his problems and was struggling from the end of the back straight.

Don Fernando, having only his second race back from injury, is possibly returning to some sort of form but needs dropping a bit more. Mistanoora, also lightly raced these days, was another not entirely disgraced. Pertemps fourth Liberman ran no sort of race and was hopelessly behind on the final circuit. He had also run very poorly before the Pertemps and is not one to rely on.

The second Irish runner Dead Sound stopped as if something was amiss on the home turn, having raced prominently. [GD]

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