Aintree Update winners Brighterdaysahead & Jango Baie

Following a frustrating four days at the Cheltenham Festival - 1 winner from 51 runners - Gordon Elliott had an excellent opening afternoon on day one of the Aintree Grand National meeting. Mange Tout, who hadn't been seen since finishing third in the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown, arrived fresh and produced a plucky performance to defend off compatriot Selma De Vary in the Grade 1 Anniversary 4yo Juvenile Hurdle. Three parts of a length separated the pair with three and a half lengths back to the third Indian River. Featured in the French Revolution section of One Jump Ahead, the Born To Sea filly had won in Grade 3 company at Fairyhouse in late November and did well to turn the tables on Willie Mullins' runner who had finished runner-up at the DRF. There were no excuses for the Rich and Susannah Ricci owned second who settled much better under Paul Townend and was produced between the final two flights.

While subscribers to the Aintree Update were out of luck in the opener, Jango Baie (Evens) and Brighterdaysahead (advised @ 2/1) won the Grade 1 Bowl Chase and Aintree Hurdle respectively. Jack Kennedy gave the latter a superb ride sitting in behind the early leader Potters Charm until taking control halfway down the backstraight. The New Lion loomed up to challenge approaching the final flight but Gordon Elliott's mare jumped it much better before staying on well to win by two and a quarter lengths. She is a high quality mare and, while her trainer mentioned chasing afterwards, it is hoped she continues over timber next term.

Having looked forward to the Red Rum Chase all day, the two mile handicap proved a huge anti-climax with both selections running poorly - both were beaten before leaving the backstraight. I think it is time to give up on Stencil - Sean Bowen did a fine job getting the French gelding to settle but his jumping went to pieces from an early stage. The less said about Inthepocket the better. What made it worse was the fact Highlands Legacy, my other fancy, looked like winning betwen the final two fences until blundering away his chance at the last.

A good day ended on a positive note, too, with two of the four horses discussed in the Grade 2 mares' bumper finishing first and third, namely Nan's Choice (9/2) and Fairy Park (9/1). Therefore it was a profitable start to the meeting and hopefully that will continue over the next couple of days. I am working at Aintree on Friday and Saturday and will therefore update the Diary over the weekend.

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