A terrific first run by Major Miller. Nicky Henderson had said before the race that he'd be delighted if Major Miller finished in the first six. As it was, he looked at one point as if he was going to win, and finished fifth. Given that the jockey did the opposite to his instructions - instead of coming late, he took him to the front a long way from home - it was all the more encouraging.

He should run again in a few weeks, assuming he came out of the race OK.

PERTH (22 Apr 2005) Good To Soft 5:15 Evening Express Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Class H) (4-6yo) [off 5:20] £3,472.00, £992.00, £496.00 (2m110y) 2m½f 1 Powerlove (FR) Mrs S C Bradburne 4 10-3 K J Mercer(3) 12/1 2 hd Kirkside Pleasure (IRE) Mrs S C Bradburne 4 10-13 M Bradburne 20/1 3 4 Reap The Reward (IRE) L Lungo 5 11-1 G Berridge(3) 10/1 4 3 Scotmail (IRE) J Howard Johnson 4 10-13 G Lee 14/1 5 nk Major Miller N J Henderson 4 10-13 A Tinkler 7/1 6 4 Royal Coburg (IRE) N A Twiston-Davies 5 11-4 C Llewellyn 2/1F ANALYSIS: Probably not the strongest of bumpers, but the pace was decent so the form should prove reliable. POWERLOVE, who ran a fair race when sixth in the mares' bumper at Aintree, ran on well to beat her stable companion Kirkside Pleasure, who is a stoutly-bred sort who had shaped quite well on his debut at Ayr. Reap The Reward came out best of the newcomers despite running green, and Scotmail probably ran up to the form he'd showed on his two previous starts. Major Miller came through to have every chance turning for home, but couldn't quicken. This was a fair first run by him.