Greatrex: Petticoat should be bang there at the end

5.15 Aintree
Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race | Grade 2 | 2m1f | RUK

Cheltenham did not quite work out for trainer Warren Greatrex with his big hope for the Champion Bumper Western Ryder finding a few too good when finishing fifth.

However, he has another excellent chance of capturing a bumper at a major spring festival in the shape of Petticoat Tails, who was a close second in a Listed contest at Sandown last time.

That was the five-year-old's first defeat in three starts, but she pulled six lengths clear of the third and wears cheekpieces here in an attempt to eke out more improvement.

Three of the first four places in the Cheltenham Bumper were filled by runners trained in Ireland. Martello Park, for Mags Mullins, and Sassy Diva, for Shane Crawley, represent Ireland in this race.

Favourites not favoured
This has not been a good race for favourites, with no market leader landing the race since Turbo Linn in 2007.

What they say

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of Maria's Benefit
We like her a lot. She’s a speedy mare and I think the track and ground will really suit her. It’s a step up from her last race and I thought it was a good bumper at Huntingdon.

Mags Mullins, trainer of Martello Park
If she were to get placed we'd be thrilled. Danny [Mullins, jockey] felt he went a bit hard at Sandown but, having said that, she won well under similar tactics at Thurles. On that run she might have a good chance.

Warren Greatrex, trainer of Petticoat Tails
She’s been very good. At Sandown we felt she just hit a flat spot and that wouldn’t be ideal in this race, so we’ve put on the cheekpieces. They should help her concentrate and travel in the race and finish better. I think the Sandown form is the strongest in the race so that should put her bang there at the end.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Polly’s Pursuit
She's been running well in those mares' bumpers and the only reason she went on the all-weather to win was because I couldn't find any good ground at the time. She'll love the going and is a hardy filly from a great family.

Kevin Frost, trainer of Redemption Song
She probably didn’t beat much last time but she’ll get the strong pace she needs. She’s a massive mare – over 17 hands – and will be even better over hurdles. We did toy with running her at Cheltenham, but I’m glad we didn’t, and we’re really looking forward to running her, especially if the ground stays on the soft side of good.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Scorpion Princess
The initial plan had been to go hurdling but she’s had a few niggly problems. She’s a good bumper filly and I think she can do well in this race because she’s talented.

Brendan Powell, trainer of Sweetlittlemystery
She didn’t show that much before she ran first time and she stepped up again to win under a penalty at Ascot. She’s a tough, hardy mare but has got speed as well. You need to stay at Aintree with that long straight, so that’s helpful to her.

Richard Hobson, trainer of Dame Rose
I made a mistake running her against tough, older horses in desperate ground at Newbury. She looked the winner three furlongs out and just wasn’t strong enough to get home in that ground. We’re very excited about the future, but she’s still only young so it’s not all about this race.