Marsh (Melling) Chase (Grade 1)

THE Grade 1 Melling Chase, run as the Marsh Chase, was a particularly exciting contest, with Sam Twiston-Davies performing heroics to stay on board Master Tommytucker after one of his trademark blunders.

There was also some scrimmaging approaching the second-last fence which did not help the chances of eventual runner-up Nuts Well (Ann Hamilton/Danny McMenamin), but while he ought to have been closer, there is no doubt that Fakir D’Oudairies (Joseph O’Brien/Mark Walsh) deserved his win not only on the day, but on balance, having bumped heads with Allaho, Chacun Pour Soi and Put The Kettle On earlier in the season.

Fakir D’Oudairies hadn’t won since December 2019, but few horses have faced stiffer tasks in defeat. He was well backed on the day, going off the 2/1 favourite having been a point bigger overnight, and had 11 lengths to spare at the line.

Itchy Feet (Olly Murphy/Gavin Sheehan) kept on from off the pace for third, one and a quarter lengths behind the runner-up, with Politologue fading late after looking a big threat approaching the penultimate obstacle.

Shock Ahoy!

Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

SURPRISE result of the day came in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle as Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senor made almost every yard under Derek Fox to win at 66/1, bringing back memories of the yard’s ill-fated Albert Bartlett winner Brindisi Breeze.

The son of Dylan Thomas is owned by Bruce and Carron Wymer in partnership with Russell’s father Peter, and the Wymers only got involved in ownership this season.

The winner is a powerful chasing type who outjumped his rivals to win by seven lengths and eight lengths from Ballymore third Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) and Albert Bartlett runner-up Oscar Elite (Colin Tizzard/Jonjo O’Neill Junior). With the Albert Bartlett third back in fourth here, there is no hint of a fluke about the result, and Ahoy Senor will go chasing in the autumn with high expectations.

Mullins happy on Livelovelaugh

THE Topham Chase often delivers a great spectacle and did so again, for all it took a long time for the starter to get the field off after some shenanigans at the start.

Once under way, the race proved a showcase for Patrick Mullins and Livelovelaugh, with the Willie Mullin-trained 11-year-old jumping his rivals silly until given a breather before the penultimate fence. A mistake there gave supporters of gambled-on Pink Eyed Pedro (Dai Brace/Jack Tudor) hope, but when Mullins asked for more, Livelovelaugh cleared away again to score by four and a half lengths.

The winning rider was seen to excellent effect, but the jockey on the runner-up also gave his mount a peach, albeit in contrasting fashion, and he deserves credit despite failing to overhaul the 15/2 second favourite.

The opening handicap went to Tronador for Denise Foster and Jack Kennedy, and this looked a plot well executed with the winner off for nine months before a comeback run at Downpatrick last month which looked needed. He improved plenty for that sighter, and won with something to spare, offering hope that he can have a fruitful summer for connections.