William Hill Bowl Chase (Grade 1)

GERRI Colombe (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) was the pick of the runners in the Grade 1 William Hill Bowl based on his excellent second to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup, but he proved very easy to back with concerns expressed about the form of the Elliott stable.

Sent off at a generous 9/4, the son of Saddler Maker made light of such concerns as he typically jumped well and found plenty for pressure to win by a hard-fought half a length from Ahoy Senor (Lucinda Russell/Derek Fox), who typically raised his game at Aintree and jumped as well as he ever has to match last year’s finishing position in this race.

Corbett’s Cross didn’t jump as well as the pair who beat him but kept on well for third, two and three quarter-lengths behind the winner.

The pace was set by Bravemansgame who travelled well in cheekpieces but faded quickly in the straight and was reported to have made a respiratory noise, while Shishkin was short of room early in the straight but failed to pick up when getting in the clear and never really looked like repeating last year’s success.

“He was very tough,” said Gordon Elliott after the race. “Jack said it wasn’t happening the whole way and he felt a bit flat the whole way, but it shows the guts the horse has that he still won.

“Jack said he probably ended up in front too soon in the end, but he’s a great horse who only does what he has to do and we’re lucky to have him. We’ll probably take the same route to the Gold Cup next year.”

Close Brothers Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

IL Etait Temps (Willie Mullins) was well backed and ran out a ready winner of the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase as the Grand National meeting got underway at Aintree on Thursday.

The race saw the principals from the Turners Novices’ Chase at Aintree pitched against the Arkle third, and it was the latter who paid a handsome compliment to Gaelic Warrior by winning with something to spare.

The 3/1 second favourite tracked the pace set by Turners runner-up Ginny’s Destiny and moved up menacingly in the straight before storming clear to win by nine lengths.

Ginny’s Destiny (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) had a good battle with old rival Grey Dawning (Dan/Harry Skelton), just holding second by a head having been beaten two lengths by the Skelton runner in the Turners.

Mullins said: “For the first circuit I was very worried, he just seemed very behind himself - I don’t think he’s going to need his hood in future - but he warmed to his task and jumped well later in the race and just kept galloping. I think going out in trip is more important than track.

“He did win over two miles, but his performance today was fantastic. He’s a fine horse - he’s not your big, 16.3 chaser, but he turns up for every fight and is made of iron.”

William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)

IMPAIRE Et Passe (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) had to survive a stewards’ inquiry before being declared the winner of the Grade 1 William Hill Aintree Hurdle in the most dramatic race of the day.

The even-money favourite led at the last, but crossed Langer Dan (Dan/Harry Skelton), who had to switch, and with the leader idling, both he and Bob Olinger (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) dived late to force a three-way photograph which showed that Impaire Et Passe had held Bob Olinger by a nose, with Langer Dan a short-head away in third.

Given the margins, and the way the beaten horses were finishing, the stewards had a hard job, and Willie Mullins must have breathed a big sigh of relief when the “placings remain unaltered” announcement eventually came.

Another clash

The winner may go to Punchestown, but another clash is unlikely with Bob Olinger, with Henry de Bromhead suggesting that the runner-up is unlikely to take up an entry there.

“It was a long wait,” said a delighted Mullins. “But I was pretty confident we’d keep it once I’d seen the overhead angle.

“This season hasn’t gone to plan so to get him back to win a Grade 1 and a race of this magnitude is pleasing but one thing I have to say is Rachael probably gave hers the ride of the race, even though she didn’t win.

Boodles Anniversary 4-y-o Hurdle (Grade 1)

THERE was a sense of relief as much as elation when Sir Gino (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) outstayed the slicker-jumping Kargese (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) in the Grade 1 Anniversary Hurdle.

The unbeaten gelding missed the Cheltenham Festival as the stable was under a cloud and this was the first real test of the Seven Barrows big guns since that episode.

The 11/10 favourite was not always fluent through the race in which Kalif Du Berlais (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) made the running, but he settled well in contrast to Kargese, who was keen without cover, forcing Townend to move her up into a challenging position earlier than he would have liked.

Her jumping looked like it might win her the contest in the straight as Sir Gino was scrappy at the third last and again at the penultimate flight.

He jumped the last well, however, and with Kargese unable to find any more when belatedly coming off the bridle, the favourite won by a comfortable three and a quarter lengths.

Henderson said: “We knew what we were walking into and while it is a relief, one swallow doesn’t make a summer as they say. He galloped right through the line in what was a messy race. His jumping was untidy up the straight but he’s done what he had to do.

“He is a very good horse but he’s got a long way to go. He is in Punchestown but I wouldn’t have thought that was high on the agenda. He’ll have to stick to hurdles next season but I’m not going to think about that now.

Rest of the card

DEREK O’Connor has ridden many fine races in his lengthy career, but his handling of Foxhunters’ winner 3/1 favourite Its On The Line (Emmet Mullins) was right up there with the best.

Well off the pace when falling in the race a year ago, the seven-year-old clearly finds the trip and tempo of this contest against him, but he was allowed to gradually creep into things on this occasion and as the leaders began to tire from the penultimate fence, he finished with a wet sail to win by four and a quarter lengths from Bennys King.

Runner-up in the Cheltenham version of this event for the last two years, the seven-year-old has not yet reached his peak and looks set to be a major force in the division for some time.

Gambled-on

Sans Bruit hasn’t been long with Paul Nicholls and, having just his second chase start for the Ditcheat handler, the gambled-on 5/1 shot showed his rivals a clean pair of heels in the Red Rum Handicap Chase, leading all the way and jumping impeccably to beat Saint Roi by four lengths under Bryony Frost.

The winning rider has struggled for opportunities of late and may spend some time in France where the allowance for female jockeys would give her more chances.

It’s been a trying time for Ben Pauling, with the news that major supporters The Megsons have taken all their horses from his Naunton yard, but he had something to smile about when Diva Luna (Kielan Woods) landed the Grade 2 Nickel Coin Mares’ bumper at odds of 13/2, following up her debut success in listed company at Market Rasen.