AINTREE 16:05 532d2q

Non Runners: ROMAIN DE SENAM (FR). Fences: 18.

Time: 5m 25.2s Closing Sectional: (6.28f): 92.9s (104.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 137%, Betfair SP 103.1%

The 'Aintree factor' isn't anything like the influence it once was when it comes to the Grand National, particularly since the fences were modified 10 years ago, but it was very much in evidence here, with 4 of the first 8 home all having reached the frame at least once previously over the course.

MAC TOTTIE was back down to the same mark as when winning the Grand Sefton here in November and, strong in the betting, took full advantage to better his trainer's already excellent record in this race - indeed, the Bowen yard has now saddled 6 winners (7 if Dineur's 2017 Foxhunters' win is included) over these fences; in touch early, lost place before halfway, rapid headway on bridle between 3 out and 2 out, quickened to lead approaching last, driven out.

BATCIO (FR) back under a fully-fledged rider, seemed to excel himself from 1 lb out of the handicap tackling these fences for the first time; mid-division, jumped fluently, crept closer from halfway, challenged between last 2, kept on.

ANNAMIX (FR) returned to form from out of the blue tackling these fences for the first time; handy, jumped fine, every chance 2 out, kept on; remains to be seen if able to back this up returned to conventional fences.

FRANCKY DU BERLAIS (FR) has coped okay with these fences twice now and is potentially well handicapped if able to build on this; mid-division, in contention entering straight, stayed on for fourth run-in.

SPIRITOFTHEGAMES (IRE) shaped similarly to last time, again faring by far the best of those held up in a race which didn't suit such tactics - he should remain competitive off this sort of mark; dropped out, took a bit of time to warm to his task tackling these fences for the first time, still plenty to do Canal Turn, rapid headway between 3 out and 2 out, plugged on latter stages.

PINK EYED PEDRO was runner-up in last year's renewal and gave it another good go on his first try over the fences since, from 3 lb out of the handicap, shaping as if back in form; mid-division, in contention from halfway, went second 4 out, faded run-in.

JANIKA (FR) was rather lit up by first-time blinkers and shaped better than the distance beaten suggests after 10 weeks off; prominent, jumped well in main (fourth in 2019 renewal), led from fifth, clear Becher's Brook, reduced advantage when blundered 5 out, headed between last 2, no extra.

SENIOR CITIZEN had been placed on his last 2 tries over the fences but ran rather a flat race on this occasion; in touch, mistake seventh, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous after.

PALMERS HILL (IRE) was below form after 11 weeks off, his progress having seemingly stalled after such a promising start to the campaign; hampered 5 out, never better than mid-field.

BATTLEOVERDOYEN (IRE) coped fine with the fences but again made little impact in competitive handicap company; waited with, some headway Valentine's, one paced straight.

KILLER CLOWN (IRE) was well held tackling these fences for the first time; mid-division, challenged briefly early in straight, weakened soon after (this trip possibly stretches him).

REGAL ENCORE (IRE) twice ran okay in the Grand National in his younger days but, understandably given his age, found this shorter trip all against him, outpaced from some way out.

RIDERS ONTHE STORM (IRE) continues out of sorts; mid-division, clouted eighth, mistake again next, lost touch soon after (already held when hampered 5 out).

FIVE STAR GETAWAY (IRE) wasn't seen to best effect and is better judged on his previous form; mid-division, behind from before halfway, left poorly placed.

SNUGSBOROUGH HALL (IRE) never looked like repeating last year's fourth place, his trademark waiting tactics very much counting against him this time; dropped out, badly hampered ninth, hampered again 5 out, never involved.

MISTER COFFEY (FR) was strong in the betting but didn't give his ers much of a run for their money tackling these fences for the first time; waited with, mistake Becher's Brook, never going well after.

VIA DOLOROSA (FR) was below form after just 6 days off, an uncharacteristically clumsy display largely to blame; mid-division, took closer order before halfway, clouted eighth, mistake Becher's Brook, blundered again Canal Turn, hit 3 out, dropped away straight.

SIZING POTTSIE (FR) has now made little impact on both goes in large-field handicaps on British soil; handy, blundered ninth, lost touch from halfway.

MORNING VICAR (IRE) lasted 2 fences longer than in 2021 and was shaping okay from 2 lb out of the weights when he went; mid-division, in touch when fell heavily 5 out.

FOXY JACKS (IRE) was again let down by his jumping, which is increasingly becoming a reason to avoid him; in touch, hit eighth, fell heavily next.

COBOLOBO (FR) wasn't to blame for his exit, though it's doubtful he'd have made any impact given the marked change of tactics; raced well off the pace, still well behind when hampered and unseated ninth.

FANTASTIC LADY (FR) didn't last long tackling these fences for the first time, unseating rider in a rather soft incident at the first.

NOTEBOOK (GER) is unproven over this far and (not for the first time) also got worked up beforehand but seems simply to be operating below best at present; prominent, jumped fine, weakened from 3 out, well held when unseated rider 2 out.

COLORADO DOC again shaped as if in reasonable heart prior to his luckless exit; mid-division, pecked The Chair, not fluent eighth, yet to make a move but going okay when brought down next.

DISCORDANTLY (IRE) can have a line put through this run; in touch, short of room first, brought down ninth.

MISTER WHITAKER (IRE) has become disappointing, in a first-time tongue strap here; raced wide, mid-division, bad mistake seventh, never dangerous after (well held when pulled up early in straight).

TAMAROC DU MATHAN (FR) isn't the easiest to assess at present but he can have a line put through this run; in touch, jumped fine, badly hampered ninth, hampered again 5 out, not recover (eventually pulled up early in straight).

WINDSOR AVENUE (IRE) seemed to hate every second of this first try over the National fences; soon behind, early reminders, not fluent, pulled up Becher's Brook.

ROYAL RENDEZVOUS (IRE) was the first string of the yard which had won the last 2 renewals of this race but he failed to meet expectations after 5 months off; led until fifth, chance-ending mistake seventh, behind when pulled up early in straight.