Mirabad much the best at 50-1 for Durrell and Skelton

Tristan Durrell registered the first Grade One success of his career when steering Mirabad to a shock 50-1 success in the Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree.

It was Dan Skelton first string Be Aware in the front rank for most of the two-mile event alongside Willie Mullins’ 8-11 favourite Salvator Mundi, but the complexion of the race would change in the home straight.

The Closutton raider had beaten off the persistent threat of Be Aware when edging to the lead two out – but Durrell was statuesque aboard Mirabad in his shadows and on the long run to the last was simply waiting for his moment to pounce.

He jumped the final obstacle in front and galloped on to a six-length success to cap a fine year for Skelton’s number two, who struck aboard Panic Attack in Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup earlier in the season.