AINTREE 15:05

All 10 ran. Fences: 16.

Time: 4m 58.1s

Overrounds: Industry SP 116%, Betfair SP 101.6%

It's very rare to get a Grade 1 in Britain that lacks any genuine Grade 1 performers but that was the case here, a far cry from the quality of recent renewals of the Melling Chase, Albertas Run, Master Minded, Finian's Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre the roll call for the previous 4 years, and a relatively bunched finish, even though they went a sound gallop, adds to the belief that a low view should be taken.

BOSTON BOB (IRE) took advantage of a weak Grade 1 contest and will have it much tougher at this level in the future, but it is a career-best performance in fairness, probably having a bit to spare in the end, and the fact that he's regularly given the impression that longer trips should be ideal leaves some scope for further improvement; in rear, rapid progress from 2 out, making up a lot of ground quickly to be upsides at the last, jumped that slowly but soon recovered and stayed on strongly; he'll reportedly go for the Punchestown Gold Cup next and should be suited by the return to 3m+.

ROLLING ACES (IRE) was fitted with the combination of cheekpieces and a tongue strap for the first time and it seemed to have a positive effect, producing his best effort to date, but he's no genuine Grade 1 chaser and his proximity underlines the lack of depth to this race; soon led, headed sixth, led again last, headed again flat, one paced.

BALLYNAGOUR (IRE) ran well up in grade, backing up the improvement shown to win the Byrne Group Plate so impressively 22 days earlier, coping with the quick turnaround, but he's not the sort to do much at all off the bridle and that was again in evidence; dropped out, tanked along, headway twelfth, edged ahead approaching last, headed there, found less than looked likely; there could still be more in the locker on a certain day and he may even be worth trying at around 2m, no doubt that he has the pace to drop back.

TONER D'OUDAIRIES (FR) wouldn't get this close in the majority of Grade 1s but is very consistent and ran well to hit the frame in a substandard race for the grade; held up, effort before 2 out, kept on; will continue to give good account.

RATHLIN ran better than for a while; close up, went on sixth, joined 3 out, headed soon after next, carried head awkwardly, faded.

PEPITE ROSE (FR) wasn't disgraced but even in a weak Grade 1 she was up against it; chased leaders, led under pressure soon after 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra.

RAJDHANI EXPRESS ran a big race to be third in the Ryanair 22 days earlier and possibly found this coming too soon; held up, crept closer eighth, driven 3 out, held before last, no extra; generally consistent so should quickly bounce back.

WISHFULL THINKING ran one of lesser races; mid-division, not fluent ninth, struggling soon after, well beaten before 3 out.

FRENCH OPERA was well held even in a weak Grade 1; mid-division, lost place twelfth, soon done with.

DAYS HOTEL (IRE) has shown his best form in uncompetitive, small-field affairs in Ireland and underperformed in this more competitive race; prominent, raced freely, ridden when mistake 4 out, soon beaten.