The China Mail - Barton Snow has a lot to crow about in Foxhunters Chase

Crow, whose ride on Barton Snow at Cheltenham in March was labelled the "ride of the festival" by legend AP McCoy, did not have to resort to the whip as he eased home on the opening day of the meeting which climaxes with the Grand National on Saturday.

Crow, an arable farmer, said all the praise should be showered on the "incredible horse" not him.

For trainer Joe O'Shea it was his third win in the race, though, he said he could have done without the excitement.

"This horse would beat Artemis to the moon, he's so fast," said O'Shea.

"I am just recovering from a quadruple bypass.

"Having said that I love him so much I might marry him."

Earlier Gordon Elliott, who is locked in a tight battle with Willie Mullins to be crowned Irish champion trainer, struck in the first.

Mange Tout came out on top in a thrilling duel with Mullins's Selma de Vary in the Grade One Juvenile Hurdle.

Mullins has held back several stable stars from running at Aintree so he can retain his title in Ireland.

Selma de Vary is one of the rare ones of Mullins to back up from last month's Cheltenham Festival but a tough race there may have proved decisive as Mange Tout had by-passed it.

For Elliott it was a welcome win in England after a dire Cheltenham when the trainer had just one winner from 51 runners.

"I think missing Cheltenham was key," said winning jockey Jack Kennedy.

Koktail Divin gave the Irish another winner in the next race, the Grade One Novices Chase, a nice omen for the winner's owners who have the fancied Monty's Star in the Grand National.

His task had been made easier when odds-on favourite Lulamba parted company with his rider Nico de Boinville seven fences from the finish.

"He jumps like he has springs in his legs," said jockey Darragh O'Keeffe of the Henry de Bromhead-trained winner.

"They are geniuses these top trainers like Henry."

De Bromhead, who combined with jockey Rachael Blackmore to win the 2021 Grand National with Minella Times, said it was a great start to the three day meeting.

De Bromhead was reminded that Monty's Star is good enough to have run in several Grade One races.

"I am not sure he has won any of them though," laughed de Bromhead.

"However, he is a very good horse and was fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year. So expecting a big run from him," added the 53-year-old, who also has Gorgeous Tom and perhaps Amirite in the National.

De Boinville bounced back in style in the next, landing the Grade One Bowl Chase on Jango Baie.

It was a perfect riposte from both the jockey and the horse, who finished second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

De Boinville said the ups and downs were part and parcel of the sport.

"It keeps you meek and humble," he said.

"You just have to look yourself in the mirror and say 'chin up lad' and pull yourself together."

Z.Huang--ThChM