2:00 Long Distance Hurdle 3 m 110 yds
Inglis Drever came to attempt what he failed to achieve last season and win the Cheltenham / Aintree double.
Not unexpectedly the result was the same with the World Hurdle winner only managing to finish third for the second consecutive year.
Today was the day Blazing Bailey finally overcame his nemesis, taking victory by an increasing 6 lengths with the northern trained Faasel taking the runners up spot.
Lough Derg was a running on fourth who, like Inglis Drever took a pull mid-race.
The major disappointment of the race was the French challenger Millennium Royal who was never in contention at any point.
2:25 Totesport Bowl Chase 3m 1f
This race was a retrieval mission for the Gold Cup runner up Kauto Star. In addition it provided the opportunity for him to avenge his course defeat at the hands of Monets Garden last October.
In a cracking finish Kauto Star came off second best for the second successive race, although this time it was to David Pipe's loveable old rouge Our Vic, runner up to Kauto Star in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. Called many unflattering names in the past, even by those close to him, this year we have witnessed a resurgence since the application of blinkers. There are few who would begrudge him today's victory.
Our Vic, as is frequently the case with Pipe runners, set the pace, with Kauto Star happy to track him, with a more prominent display than usual.
Monets Garden never seemed to be happy and anyone who had backed him knew their fate relatively early in the race.
Gungadu, as expected, was outclassed but he still has scope for improvement. Exotic Dancer ran as he has all season, somehow missing his usual sparkle.
At the business end, as they turned into the home straight, it appeared Kauto Star was heading for another easy victory. Approaching the last, however, he seemed to quickly tire. He may have had sufficient in hand, had it not coincided with Our Vic getting his second wind.
A dour battle to the line ensued with Our Vic literally grabbing victory by a nose in the final stride.
3:10 John Smiths Novice Hurdle 2m 110yds
Celestial Halo was attempting to become the third successive horse to win this race following success in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. Following in the illustrious footsteps of Katchit and Detroit City.
On form his main challenger looked to be Binocular, runner up in the Supreme Novices.
In the end the race ended up as a procession with Binocular running out a facile seven length winner, under a well timed Tony McCoy ride.
Celestial Halo made his intentions clear from the start, setting a furious pace, clearly with the intention of taking the sting out of his opponents challenge. The tactic certainly appeared to be working as the field was strung out like Monday 's washing turning into the home straight , with only Binocular and Harper Valley seemingly having any chance with the leader.
Coming to the last McCoy, who had been happy to track the leader, made his move and, come the ultimate test, Celestial Halo had nothing left to offer.
3:45 John Smiths Fox Hunters 2m 5f 110yds (National course)
In the race affectionately known as the amateurs Grand National, Katarino was attempting to become the first horse to win the race three times and at one point it looked as though he may actually pull it off.S
Putting in a bold front running performance he led for almost the entire race, which - for a change - was run at a sensible pace.
As they returned to the racecourse proper, the challengers were lining up, amongst them Christy Beamish, Holy Joe, Sonevafushi and, the running on favorite, Thisthatandtother.
Approaching the last it was Christy Beamish who emerged the challenger, jumping easily alongside the leader.
Approaching the elbow they appeared to be super glued together, battling stride for stride.
On the run in Katrino's lack of a recent run told as the winner pulled away for an, ultimately easy, nine length victory, from the brave Katrino in second and Holy Joe a further ten lengths back in third.
4:20 Red Rum Handicap Chase 2m
I said beforehand this race would be a pin stickers choice and so it proved, with the Venetia Williams trained Stan running out the 25/1 winner, beating the 14/1 front running second Dev with 33/1 shot Lord Henry in third.
The 5/1 favorite Lennon shared the front running with Dev but, in all honesty, never appeared to have a serious chance. Course specialist Leslingtaylor also turned out to be something of a damp squib.
4:55 Mersey Novices Hurdle 2m 4f
Franchoek was sent off the hot favorite for the Triumph Hurdle only to he beaten by the improving Celestial Halo.
Today he again went off favorite, this time over 1/2 a mile further.
On this occasion he came off only third best as Tony McCoys waiting tactics failed to pay off on this occasion. The jury is still out as to whether he stayed the extra half mile. Certainly as far as the winner, Elusive Dreams, is concerned I would suggest the better horse won on the day. The same can also be said of the runner up, Cheltenham winner, Whiteoak.
Before racing Elusive Dream's trainer Paul Nicholls was bullish about his charges chances, saying he had been laid out for the race.
5:30 John Smiths Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f
The last race on the card at any race meeting is known as the getting out race, in which punters are supposed to recoup their losses.
Before racing Aintree's final race looked to be a punters graveyard and so it turned out with 50/1 shot Auroras Encore from the Sue Smith yard taking the spoils.