Gordon Elliott's Aintree review

Gordon Elliott saw his mare Familiar Dreams running a commendable fifth in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree and that just about sums up his spring.

Familiar dreams, indeed, for a trainer that has watched his horses repeatedly running well at both Cheltenham and Aintree but has returned from both major spring festivals in Britain with just a lone winner at each.

At Cheltenham he bagged his 41st career Festival winner when Wodhooh came home the winner of the concluding Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle. At Aintree, it was Honesty Policy in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle on day three that dug him out.

It has ultimately been a frustrating spring for Elliott and perhaps the Racing Post assessment of Familiar Dreams' run at Aintree sums up his mood in suggesting: 'had her chance, just not quite seeing this out as well as others'.

Elliott settling for a minor role again

As was the case last month at Cheltenham, Elliott found his horses were bang there with major chances in many races at Aintree but, more often than not, they were just getting pipped to the prizes.

Wodhooh, Romeo Coolio and Timmy Tuesday all brought home silver medals from Merseyside, while Wendrock, Familiar Dreams and The Wallpark ran well but just not well enough.

Romeo Coolio bumped into Salvator Mundi on the day it all fell into place for the Mullins inmate, as he travelled all over Sam Ewing's partner in the Grade 1 TrustATrader Top Novices' Hurdle before going clear to win.

Wodhooh, the Martin Pipe winner having won all seven hurdles races to this point, ran a blinder to be second to Lossiemouth in the Aintree Hurdle and only enhanced her reputation in doing so. There are better days to come with her.

Wendrock coped with the rise in class for the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle but ultimately came up short.

Croke Park amongst the disappointments

From the off it wasn't the meeting Elliott had hoped for. Croke Park folded tamely in the Manifesto Novices' Chase as Impaire Et Passe won in fine style for Mullins and Paul Townend, with Ewing reporting the Gigginstown inmate was never travelling for him in the opening Grade 1.

In the Foxhunters' on day one, Willitgoahead couldn't build on the promise of his podium finish at Cheltenham as he was midfield having gone off as favourite.

The Goffer did run a big race in the Topham a day later, taking third behind Gentleman De Mee.

National team fails to fire

Of course, the three days in Liverpool are centred around the big race, where Elliott had hoped to claim a record-equalling fourth Grand National success. He sent out a five-strong assault but only one managed to complete the course.

Three Card Brag ran well towards the front for a long way under Britain's champion jockey-elect Sean Bowen but ultimately they came up short in the final mile, finishing 11th of the 16 completions.

Coko Beach, Conflated and Fil Dor were all pulled up in the National, while Duffle Coat had the ignominy of being first out, unseating Danny Gilligan at the third fence.

Honesty the best Policy

Honesty Policy got up late under Mark Walsh in the JP McManus hoops to win the Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle on day three. For most trainers, a Grade 1 at Aintree in the spring would do nicely but Elliott isn't most trainers.

He measures by a higher standard when it comes to success.

He'll reflect back on Aintree as he did Cheltenham, pleased that his horses generally ran so well, but a little dismayed that perhaps the dividends didn't yield quite as much as often looked probable.