Seniors’ handicap hurdles are still a rare commodity but this event has been well supported. Aintree My Dream was second over fences at Kempton a week ago while Loverboy returned from an absence to win at Chepstow last month. Dell' Arca was third over 3m here three weeks ago when a pound higher in the weights and Boreham Bill is likely to be thereabouts if he’s benefited from a break. Trans Express is another to consider lower down the weights but ALL YOURS is a fascinating contender in a race like this. A Grade 1 winner over hurdles, he’s not up that level nowadays but did win on Polytrack at the start of the month and a mark of 121 is probably underestimating his ability. Recent Doncaster second Mr Caffrey looks best of the rest.
Boreham Bill (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Led, headed after 4 out, with leader, hit 2 out, soon lost place, no impression before last, weakened flat, 10th of 17, 17l behind Duke Street (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Mr Caffrey 16-1 (11-9) Led until after 1st, prominent, led after 7th, headed before faltered on landing last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Manning Estate (11-2) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Dell' Arca (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division on inside, outpaced before 3 out, hung left from next, rallied, snatched 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 15 1/2l behind One For The Team (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 6th or 7th, lost place when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 23 1/4l behind Secrete Stream (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Aintree My Dream (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on outside after 4 out, left in 2nd 2 out, ridden and keeping on and 2 lengths down last, stayed on run-in, always held, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Mystical Clouds (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Lungarno Palace (USA) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before last, 7th of 11, 14 1/4l behind Espoir De Romay (12-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Loverboy (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, jumped left and not fluent 1st, headway after 7th, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Marley Firth (10-3) by 3 3/4l, 11 ran.
All Yours (FR) 10-3 (9-6) In touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 5th of 7, 4 1/4l behind Sky Defender (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Mile House (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Started slowly, well off the pace in rear, jumped slowly 1st, tailed off throughout, pulled up before 11th, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Aliandy (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Led into start and slowly away, raced keenly in rear, effort before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 37 3/4l behind Any Drama (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Ruacana 9-2 (11-3) Raced wide, tracked leading pair, not fluent 2nd, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, weakened next, last of 5, 35l behind Marlborough Sounds (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Trans Express (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Led until after 5th, led again next until 3 out, chased leaders, outpaced before next, plugged on, 4th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Limited Reserve (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Templeross (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Always behind, lost touch from 7th, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Any Drama (12-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Away For Slates (IRE) 16-1 (11-13) Held up, closer when not fluent 7th, chased leading pair 11th until before 3 out, jumped left and 3rd again 3 out, every chance next, one pace last, 3rd of 8, 16 1/4l behind Echo Watt (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
