More news from Aintree: Sire Du Berlais stuns Flooring Porter

Sire Du Berlais shocked reigning Stayers’ Hurdle champion Flooring Porter in the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree.

A 16-1 chance for Gordon Elliott and Mark Walsh, Sire Du Berlais looked up against it as dual Cheltenham Festival victor Flooring Porter set out to make all in the Grade One in the hands of Danny Mullins.

All appeared to be going to plan for the 11-8 favourite as Mullins built up an early advantage before giving Flooring Porter a bit of a breather ahead of the run for home.

Thyme Hill and Molly Ollys Wishes tried their best to keep pace but could not go on as Flooring Porter kicked, leaving Sire Du Berlais the only credible challenger in the hands of Walsh.

The pair were locked in battle at the last, jumping in unison, although Flooring Porter landed a little awkwardly and had to be put straight again by Mullins, losing a touch of momentum in the process.

Sire Du Berlais eventually made that advantage count and while he did drift to the rail, slightly checking Flooring Porter in the process, he eventually came home a length and three-quarters to the good. Champ kept on for third, beaten 20 lengths, with Thomas Darby a head back in fourth.

Elliott said: “He’s tough. We thought he’d run well in the Pertemps at Cheltenham (11th) but that race just didn’t work out for him.

“That’s great, and I think the long straight really helped him as he got into a lovely rhythm and he jumped great.

“I don’t know about Punchestown, we’ll enjoy today and see what happens.

“I suppose it is a bit of a surprise but that’s the game we’re in. I’d say the better ground helped him.”

Flooring Porter’s trainer Gavin Cromwell was philosophical in defeat, with next year’s Festival and a Stayers’ Hurdle hat-trick on the agenda.

He said: “I thought he was a bit gassy and fresh going to the start and then again in the race itself.

“He got beat, but that’s racing, and he was a length and three-quarters down at the line.

“I hope we can bring him back to Cheltenham for another crack at the Stayers’ next season.”

Champ finished one place better than at Cheltenham, although he was beaten four lengths by Flooring Porter on that occasion.

His trainer Nicky Henderson said: “He stayed on well from a fair way back. He’s entered in Ireland (Punchestown) but we’ll have to see.”

Gentleman De Mee created a minor surprise as he lifted the Poundland Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree.

Arkle winner Edwardstone was widely expected to follow up his Cheltenham Festival success in this Grade One contest, being sent off the 4-7 favourite for Alan King.

However, he proved no match for the Willie Mullins-trained winner, who raced generously throughout for Mark Walsh as he took a big step up from wide-margin wins at Thurles and in a Navan Grade Three.

Third Time Lucki briefly looked like challenging after Harry Skelton did well to recover a lost iron, but he dropped away in the straight, leaving Edwardstone and Gentleman De Mee to slug it out.

There was only one winner though, as Gentleman De Mee kicked on again at the last, coming home four and a half lengths clear with Dan Skelton’s Third Time Lucki another 11 lengths back in third.

Mullins said: “I think the Arkle winner, having been to Cheltenham and we didn’t, maybe didn’t have the freshness we had. I was hoping our freshness might be the right card to play and it looked like that.

“Mark gave him a brilliant ride, he got him out, got him jumping and even gave him a breather when he made a mistake at the fourth-last. Mark felt he was always in charge.

“He’s just improved the last six to eight weeks, I think the change of tactics have helped, rather than holding him up and getting beaten like he was early in the season. He’s maturing and growing into himself.

“It looks like there’s more to come. We’ll see about Punchestown, we’ll see how he comes out of this. I think he’s a Champion Chase horse.”

Mullins did have the ante-post favourite for the Arkle in Ferny Hollow until injury curtailed his season once more.

“He’s good,” said Mullins. “He had a vet check the other day and everything is going well. He’ll be back next season and hopefully he’ll get a bit of time out at grass first.”

King was not downhearted in defeat, although he felt the fact Edwardstone was having his seventh start of the year while Gentleman De Mee was having his fifth might have been key.

He said: “All through the week I was getting afraid of the winner who was only 3lb behind us and had an easier prep.

“There are no regrets, because if you look at Dan’s horse (Third Time Lucki), we have run our race.

“I’m thrilled with him, and would think the Shloer might be the first target next season.”

Skelton was similarly satisfied with Third Time Lucki, who was finishing behind Edwardstone for a third time this season.

He said: “It’s a shame that he hit the cross fence, but he soon was back on the bridle. He’s had a great first year over fences and seen a lot of the back of Edwardstone. His campaign will remain at two miles when he comes back next season.”

Three Stripe Life finally claimed a Grade One victory in the Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

Gordon Elliott’s charge had finished second at the highest level on his three previous runs, chasing home Mighty Potter on the first occasion before finding Sir Gerhard too good at both Leopardstown and Cheltenham on his last two outings.

With Willie Mullins’ superstar not in opposition this time, Three Stripe Life was the 5-2 favourite in the hands of Davy Russell and made the most of the opportunity in this two-and-a-half-mile contest.

He was well in control jumping the last and while Might I tried to put up a fight on the run to the line, Three Stripe Life was just too good, coming home four and three-quarter lengths to the good. North Lodge was third, beaten a further three and three-quarter lengths.

Elliott said: “He’s deserved that, he’s a good horse. We bought him to be a chaser and if you look at him, that’s what he’ll go and do.

“He’s bumped into Sir Gerhard a couple of times, who is a very good horse, and he’s done little wrong all year.

“It’s nice for him to get his day in the sun and Kenny and Laura Haughey (owners) are here, they are good supporters of ours so it’s great.

“He’ll definitely go chasing next year. He’s in at Punchestown, but he’s been busy enough so we’ll just see.”

Russell added: “These colours are very, very important to me, Kenny Haughey is a huge supporter of our yard. He’s been very patient with this horse and we’re so happy he’s delivered for Kenny.”

Of Might I, trainer Harry Fry said: “He went to Sandown and started favourite giving 3lb to Constitution Hill.

“He then ran into Jonbon at Haydock and with a rating of 135 we couldn’t get him to Cheltenham.

“I feel I’ve made a bit of a mess of it winning just one novice with him, but now that he settles he will get further.

“So we will keep him over hurdles and aim at some nice staying prizes including a three mile handicap at Haydock in November.”

Sadly, Elle Est Belle, hving jumped the final flight in third, collapsed on the run-in and could not be saved.

Party Business showed plenty of heart to fend off Ilikedwayurthinkin in the EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle, the opening event on Randox Grand National Day at Aintree.

Trained by Ian Williams and ridden by 3lb claimer Charlie Todd, Party Business (11-2) was making the best of his way home as he jumped the third-last in the lead in the extended three-mile contest.

However, Ilikedwayurthinkin appeared to be tanking along in behind and it looked certain the 16-1 shot would reel in Party Business as the pair approached the last in unison.

Ilikedwayurthinkin may have just edged in front on the run to the line, but Party Business responded to Todd’s every urging and eventually came home a three-quarter-length winner. Mill Green was a further 12 lengths back in third.

Williams said: “It looked a bit of a messy race for him, but he finished strong. He was nearly brought down twice, but it was a solid run from the last and a real battle, with the front two well clear. It’s always better to be on the winner than the second.

“It’s great for the owners, Mark (Sheasby, Eventmasters). They’ve been with me a long time and brought around 1,000 people today. One of our original horses, Latchford, was down to Mark.

“It’s great to be here on the big stage. He was actually anti coming to Liverpool and when they went by the stands on the first circuit I thought he was probably right, fortunately he got his confidence and put up a sterling effort.

“I would think that will be it for this season and he’ll probably go chasing next season, with maybe a run over hurdles first.”