The China Mail - Barton Snow completes Cheltenham-Aintree double in Foxhunters Chase

Crow, whose ride on Barton Snow at Cheltenham in March was labelled the "ride of the festival" by racing 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.

It was trainer Joe O'Shea's third win in the race, although 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 race.

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 won at 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, who along with Elliott won a second Grade One later on Thursday in the Aintree Hurdle with Brighterdaysahead.

Koktail Divott gave the Irish another winner in 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 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.

De Bromhead, who combined with jockey Rachael Blackmore to win the 2021 Grand National with Minella Times, 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.

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.

Q.Yam--ThChM