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http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...e/1015110/top/

Aintree, Friday

John Smith´s Topham Chase Handicap (Grade 3) 2m5f

ALWAYS WAINING notched a remarkable Topham hat-trick under Tom O'Brien. The 11-1 shot is the first horse to win the handicap for a third time in the race's 63-year history.

Three contenders were in line at the last but the Peter Bowen-trained 11-year-old put on the turbos to surge clear to a comfortable success.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...e/1015170/top/

HAVING waited over 30 years to have a winner at Aintree, Malcolm Jefferson now has two in as many days after Attaglance emulated stablemate Cape Tribulation by defying top weight in the Listed 2m4f handicap hurdle for a length and three-quarters win

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...h/1015124/top/

Aintree, Friday

John Smith's Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m½f, 4yo+

LOVCEN got the better of the unbeaten Fingal Bay in a momentous battleup the Aintree straight.

Level when jumping the last, the Alan King trained seven-year-old out stayed the favourite to record the trainer's second winner of the festival.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...n/1015081/top/

Aintree, Friday

John Smith's Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m4f, 5yo+

FINIAN'S RAINBOW, who smashed through the rails on his way to the start, made light work of his seven rivals, and the step up in trip, running out a ready winner of the Melling Chase.

Jumped off in third, Barry Geraghty was the only rider to take close order with pacesetters Albertas Run and Poquelin, with the rest of the field sitting several lengths off the three market leaders.


Exiting the back straight, Wishfull Thinking, who has been largely disappointing this season, rediscovered himself and travelled up strongly onto the quarters of Finian's Rainbow, who was left in front as the two pacesetters faded.

The two pulled clear into the straight, and Wishfull Thinking only looked a momentary threat until Geraghty gave his mount a squeeze and powered clear on the bridle.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...s/1015055/top/

Aintree, Friday

John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 2) 3m1f, 5yo+

SILVINIACO CONTI cruised to a comfortable victory for trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh, jumping well in the straight to leave Champion Court trailing in his wake.

The 7-4 favourite scored by 13 lengths from chief rival Champion Court (15-8), who was upsides jumping the third-last but had no answer once Walsh turned on the gas.

Silviniaco Conti is 12-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and 10-1 (from 16) for the King George VI Chase with William Hill. Paddy Power quote 8-1 for the King George.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...n/1015030/top/

Aintree, Friday

Tangle Teaser Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m½f 4yo+

NICKY HENDERSON got his Aintree meeting up and running here with a 1-2 led by 7-4 favourite Darlan, who struck under Tony McCoy in the Synchronised colours of JP McManus.

Stablemate Captain Conan (Barry Geraghty) chased him home in second, while the yard's third runner, Oscara Dara, finished fourth. Paul Nicholls' Prospect Wells filled the places in third spot.