Timeform Notebook: Cappa won't leave you feeling Bleu

Evan Williams will train Cappa Bleu for the Grand National

Timeform bring you three horses that caught the eye last week, including one with the Grand National as his target...

Having attracted support on his handicap debut, Mount Hope, on the face of it, was a shade disappointing when finishing only sixth at Catterick. However, Donald McCain's unexposed six-year-old shaped better than the bare result, possibly disadvantaged by racing on the inside of the course as well as doing too much too soon out in front. It is worth giving Mount Hope another chance to confirm the impression that he has been let into handicaps on a lenient mark, and he should be winning soon.

Tominator's hurdling wasn't immaculate when scoring at Sandown on Friday, but it did register as a marked improvement on the round he had produced when trailing home seventh at Cheltenham. A useful stayer on the Flat, Tominator travelled through smoothly throughout Friday's contest, defying a slight mistake at the final flight to ultimately score a shade cosily, and it will be interesting to see what handicap mark he is allotted following this third start over hurdles. He could be the type to thrive in big-field handicaps, providing his jumping holds up, as a stronger pace should suit his strong-travelling nature, and he is certainly one to note. 

Fourth in last year's Grand National, Cappa Bleu once again has the Aintree showpiece as his primary objective for the season but there was plenty of encouragement to be taken from his effort at Ascot, finishing second behind a reformed character in Vino Griego. Having his first start since November, it was expected that Cappa Bleu would need the run, but he shaped admirably in the circumstances, responding well in the closing stages to get to within two and a half lengths of the winner. It is expected that Evan Williams' charge will come on for the run and, with his proven ability to handle the unique test that Aintree provides, he will hold leading claims in the Grand National.

Runners Debrief:

In truth, it was a disappointing weekend for the Notebook entrants with The Bear Trap and Teaforthree failing to make an impact in two of the weekend's big handicaps. Teaforthree actually showed up well for quite a long way in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, but it was disappointing to see him fold in uncharacteristically tame style and it is possible he was still feeling the effects of a gruelling effort in the Welsh National.

Similarly, The Bear Trap may also have been suffering from the exertions of a recent run when failing to land a blow at Ascot. Held up as usual, The Bear Trap was asked for his effort following the third-last flight, but he failed to respond and was pulled up shortly afterwards. However, given his profile entering the race, it is far too soon to write off Rebecca Curtis' six-year-old.

Sunday was even worse as Un Ami failed to build on a promising run at Chepstow, floundering in desperate conditions at Ffos Las. The ground was riding particularly soft at Ffos Las on Sunday, every time a minute over standard, so perhaps it would be unwise to judge Nick Williams' youngster on this, admittedly, poor performance.

There was a degree of joy to be had at Musselburgh on Wednesday as Ifandbutwhynot bounced back to form to land a handicap hurdle in good style. The form of his win at Cheltenham's Open meeting had been boosted a couple of times and, considering he remains lightly raced, it is not out of the question that David O'Meara's novice will be able to make his presence felt in the County Hurdle.

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