'I think the world of her' - King expects big run from Glancing Queen in bumper

5.15 Aintree
Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) | 2m1f | 4-6yo | RTV

King looking to enhance fine record

Alan King has a good record in this race, winning with Senorita Rumbalita (2005) and Avispa (2014), as well as sending out Midnightreferendum to finish runner-up last year, and launches a three-pronged attack on the £45,000 prize.

The trainer's leading hope is The Glancing Queen, who tops the official ratings for this race having finished a creditable fifth to Envoi Allen in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

King said: "I think the world of her, and she ran a blinder to finish fifth against the boys in the Champion Bumper. She's come out of that race fine and I don’t see why Aintree shouldn't suit her."

He also runs Eyes Right, who got off the mark in smooth style at Southwell last time, and Giving Back, who has won twice but was well beaten in a Listed race at Huntingdon in December.

Ratings point to Minella Melody being a leading player

An Irish raider has won three of the last ten runnings, including last year's race, and Henry de Bromhead is responsible for a leading contender in Minella Melody, who won her point and bumper by wide margins.

According to Racing Post Ratings her victory at Gowran Park represents the strongest form in this race, and by some margin.

Minella Melody is bred to be talented as her dam is a half-sister to 2015 Mares' Hurdle winner Glens Melody.

Minella Melody: bright prospect won in striking fashion at Gowran ParkCredit: Patrick McCann

The other Irish representative is Daylight Katie, who does not hold such strong claims on ratings but is highly regarded.

Trainer Gordon Elliott said: "Daylight Katie is a very good mare and she won nicely for David [Dunsdon] at Gowran, so hopefully will have a decent chance. We skipped Cheltenham for this."

Connections hoping patience pays dividends

Who What When sprang a 40-1 surprise on debut but proved it was no fluke when winning a Listed race at Market Rasen in January.

Trainer Murty McGrath is confident of a bold show from the unbeaten four-year-old and said: "We gave her some time off to develop after Market Rasen as she's a big filly, and I think she's improved since.

"I've always thought she was nice and have really liked her. We're not going there to make up the numbers, this has been the plan since Market Rasen."

Timetochill powered clear to win the Listed mares' bumper at HuntingdonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Another filly arriving after a break, having scored in Listed company, is Timetochill, who has won both starts under rules for Kelly Morgan and has been targeted at this valuable prize.

Morgan, who trains in Rutland, Britain's smallest county, said: "She's a nice mare and we've saved her for Aintree as we thought the track would suit her.

"I knew she was good as she won really well at Kelso, and then I was delighted with her at Huntingdon."

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Emmas Joy and Eyren
They're both nice mares. Eyren is a four-year-old and won her only start while Emmas Joy was second in a Listed race so has the stronger form. Realistically, they're next year's horses.

Neil King, trainer of Farne
We've always held her in high regard and she ran two nice races before stepping up to finish third in a Listed race at Sandown. It's a case of the more rain the better for her.

Amy Murphy, trainer of Hawthorn Cottage
She had a setback in November but we've got her as ready as we can and after Aintree she'll hopefully go to Punchestown.

Harry Fry, trainer of Misty Whisky and Whitehotchillifili
Misty Whisky won a Listed bumper at Sandown last time and Whitehotchillifili was fourth behind her. They're nice mares. It's a big field but hopefully they'll be competitive.

Spotlight verdict

The Champion Bumper form is put through its paces with seventh-placed The Glancing Queen the first runner to represent this season's renewal. Despite steady fractions the standout contenders did come to the fore in the Cheltenham feature and Alan King's mare would have been beaten less than 7l had she not got stuck behind horses at a crucial stage. Minella Melody brings a tall reputation from Ireland and one seemingly justified after winning both her races so comfortably, while at fancier odds there could be a big run in Shantewe.

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