16:44 Irish Raptor, runner-up in in last years Toppham, went one better in the 2009 renewal.

Always racing prominently the gelding was always well placed under Paddy Brennan, Oodachee gave chase in the closing stages but was never close enough to mount a serious challenge.

Cossack Dancer finished third, while Always Waining was fourth.

Irish Raptor seized the initiative was left in front, possibly earlier than his jockey planned, when Frankie Figg fell at Beechers.

Ping Pong Sivola was sent off teh favourite but fell at Valentines, along with last years winner Gwanako.

15:34 The afternoon's feature race The Melling Chase saw a thrilling finish with Voy Por Ustedes just getting his head in front of Schindlers Hunt on the line, although in the home straight he looked anything but the winner.

Racing Post Chase winner Nacarat looked to be all the winner but both Voy Por Ustedes and Schindlers Hunt were determined to make a race of it. Schindlers Hunt had the advantage coming to the last but Voy Por Ustedes put in a fantastic leap at the last.

It was still a dour battle to the line and the result could have gone either way until the last few yards.

Trainer Alan King said: "I'm nearly in tears. My God he's tough and what a great ride by Choc. He needed a big jump at the last and got it.

"I'm chuffed for the whole team, particularly for Sir Robert after what happened yesterday. It's been a tough time.

"When he got beat at Cheltenham it was disappointing for everyone, but this is wonderful.

"He'll never shirk it. He put his head down and really battled. I'm proud of him and he's very special. He's been a wonderful horse to me and the whole team."

Jockey Robert Thornton said "It was certainly fairly exciting. I was flat-out leaving the back, which was why he missed the last one down there.

"He's come back on the bridle again and then AP has squeezed on the home turn and I'm flat-out again.

"I thought jumping the second-last I was getting back into it. Schindlers Hunt coming up on the outside has helped me. He gave me something to race with.

"My lad has won it with his jumping at the last and then he was always just holding him.

"It was a great performance from him.

"He's been a great servant - he's won an Arkle, a Queen Mother, two of these and five Grade Ones - and has paid for my house."

15:03 RSA flop Killyglen showed his liking for better ground in the matalan.co.uk Mildmay Novices' Chase.

Pulled up in the soft at Cheltenham he looked a better horse on the better going with Denis O'Regan bringing him home nine lengths ahead of Shining Gale, with Siegemaster a further eight lengths back in third.

14:30 Dominic Elsworth, who had to pass the doctor to ride today, produced a perfectly time finish to take the highstreetvouchers.com Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.

The Lucy Wadham-trained runner looked to have plenty to do after the second last however  but swept past the favourite American Trilogy and Somersby on the run-I to record a neck victory.

American Trilogy had taken the lead from Somersby approaching the last and he ballooned the final flight.

12:36 A few more non-runners, details on the right.

Here are this afternoons selections for Aintree

Due to the limited media accreditation we have been granted for Aintree we will, regrettably, be providing a "results only" service this afternoon.

A report on the afternoons action will be available later Friday evening.

Meanwhile full coverage will be provided from this afternoons meeting at Bath.

The going at Aintree is the same as yesterday:-

Mildmay Course: Good

National Course: Good, good to soft in paces

We currently have one non-runner, the ill fated Exotic Dancer who was due to run in the 3:10.

Return to race archive

Non-Runners

2:35
5 The Vicar (lame SC)
11 Kinkeel (lame - SC)

3:10
2 Exotic Dancer (dead)

3:45
4 Mr Pointment (lame - VC)

4:55
14 Auroras Encore (lame - SC)

Results

2:00 Novices' Hurdle 2m 110yds
1st 5 El Dancer 14/1
2nd 2 American Trilogy 11/4 fav
3rd9 Somersby 9/2
11 Ran
Distances neck & 1
Fav second
Tote
Win £16.40
Places £2.90 £1.50 £2.00
Exacta £57.80
CSF £51.05

2:35 Novices' Chase 3m 1f

1st 7 Killyglen 7/1
2nd 4 Shining Gale 9/2
3rd 2 Siegemaster 11/2
9 Ran NR's 5 & 11
Distances 9 & 8
Fav Herecomesthetruth 3/1
Tote
Win £8.80
Places £2.40 £1.80 £1.80
Exacta £45.90
CSF £36.16
Time

3:10 Chase 2m 4f

1st 11 Voy Por Ustedes 11/8 fav
2nd 7 Schindlers Hunt 16/1
3rd 3 Nacarat 4/1
10 Ran NR 2
Distance head & 4 1/2
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.40
Places £1.30 £2.60 £1.90
Exacta £23.50
CSF £23.33

3:45 Handicap Chase 2m 5f 110yds

1st 27 Irish Raptor 8/1
2nd 19 Oodachee 20/1
3rd 30 Cossack Dancer 40/1
4th 7 Always Waining 25/1
29 Ran NR 4
Distances 2 1/4 & 13
Fav Ping Pong Sivola 5/1 (fell)
Tote
Win £11.50
Places £2.70 £3.90 £16.40 £6.80
Exacta £203.20
CSF £161.02

4:20 Novices' Hurdle 3m 110yds

1st 11 Ogee 25/1
2nd 2 Comhia Ri Coig 100/1
3rd 1 According To Dick 10/1
15 Ran
Distances 1/2 & 1
Fav Karabak 13/8
Tote
Win £42.10
Places £6.70 £17.60 £2.50
Exacta £2,875.20
CSF £1,397.62

4:55 Handicap Hurdle 3m 110yds

1st 18 Time For Rupert 50/1
2nd 17 Inchidaly Rock 7/1
3rd 13 Kawagino 40/1
4th 11 Mamlook 11/1
21 Ran NR 14
Distances head & 13
Fav Captain Americl 11/2
Tote
Win £56.60
Places £8.60 £2.60 £10.50 £3.10
Exacta £1,098.30
CSF £356.84
Tricast £13,494.91

5:30 Mares' NH Flat 2m 1f

1st 3 Candy Creek 9/2
2nd 7 Liss Na Tintri 7/1
3rd 9 Morning Supreme 3/1 fav
20 Ran
Distances 2 3/4 & 3 1/2
Fav third
Tote
Win £5.50
Places £2.40 £3.00 £2.00
Exacta £27.70
CSF £32.11