3.30 Aintree
Betfred Monet's Garden Old Roan Chase (Grade 2 Limited
Handicap) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £28,475
Winner £28,475
Advice: 3 pts win Masterminded (8/15 general)
Masterminded: Had begun to gain his doubters after
spellbinding displays for last two seasons when a poor fourth in Champion
Chase, but seemingly back to best in run up to last year’s festival; Pitching
in there when making race – ending mistake in Champion Chase but as good as he’s
ever been when cantering all over high quality field in Melling Chase here,
beating Albertas Run by 9 easy lengths; Must give 10 lbs to that rival today
but hard to see him not doing so and excellent record fresh, so the one to beat
even in 3 runner field. 
Albertas Run: As good as ever last season when winning
second Ryanair Chase, and now gets 10lbs from Masterminded, seemingly equalling
them after latter’s easy win; Can get competitive as ever and ground come right
for him but poor in this last year on reappearance and still has work to do to
turnover Masterminded. 
Pure Faith: Useful sort who is race fit, but hard task putting
that to good use when he’s more than a stone out of the handicap.
VERDICT: A heavyweight chasing clash between MASTERMINDED,
for whom there seems to be a bright new career path after his excellent Melling
Chase win at the Aintree festival, and Albertas Run, who gets 10lbs from the
selection at the weights. Some will call this a watching brief, but
Masterminded has never has a problem with small fields before and should start
with a win here.
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