Timeform Aintree Race Preview: The Totesport Bowl

General / Timeform / 01 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

Paul Nicholls will be out to banish the painful memories of Kauto Star's run in this race twelve months ago and who better to lead his charge then the revitalised Denman, says Timeform.

Gold Cup runner-up Denman arrives arguably in better heart than his illustrious stablemate did last April, having put his below-par return, when a laboured second to Madison du Berlais at Kempton, behind him and running a cracking race at Cheltenham, jumping superbly as usual and still in with every chance when Kauto Star went on. While there's a slight concern this won't bring Denman's stamina into play sufficiently, he is the clear pick on form and deserves to be as short in the betting as he is.

Two-and-a-half lengths behind Denman in the Gold Cup was Exotic Dancer, who showed himself at least as good as ever to finish placed in the race for the second time. The nine-year-old won this, albeit a weak renewal, in 2007, and though his record at Aintree since has been mixed, he'd be the one most likely to capitalise should Denman not run his race.

Star de Mohaison is two from two at Aintree and on the pick of his form he can't be easily dismissed. His performance giving weight all round when a clear second to Mon Mome in a handicap at Cheltenham in December would have been good enough to win two of the last five runnings of this race. His overall profile is something of a concern, however, for he tends to stand little racing, and has stopped to nothing on both starts since that effort.

One of the best chasers around on his day, Our Vic bids to become the first back-to-back winner of the Totesport Bowl since Docklands Express in 1994. His resurgence last spring, however, his success at Aintree coming on the back of victory in the Ryanair, seems like a distant memory now following two lifeless efforts this season, and you couldn't back him with much confidence at present.

Others with a bit to prove now include Albertas Run and Air Force One, both of whom have generally struggled this season while posting just the one stand-out effort, the former's coming when second to Kauto Star in the King George, and the latter's when filling the same position behind Noland in the John Durkan at Punchestown. Interestingly, both runners are tongue tied for the first time in this.