MULLINS’ highly successful afternoon started when Apple’s Jade reversed Triumph Hurdle form with Ivanovich Gorbatov in the Grade 1 Betfred Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle.

The winning margin was a remarkable 41 lengths as Bryan Cooper eased the 3/1 shot past Azzuri before three out and went a long way clear, Ivanovich Gorbatov belatedly keeping on grimly for second.

Apple’s Jade had suffered a setback before Cheltenham but was at her very best here and, of course, received the 7lb mares’ allowance. In all probability Ivanovich Gorbatov needs faster ground and may be happier at Punchestown.

“That was absolutely extraordinary,” Mullins said.

“I thought Brian was mad, going on when he did with three still to jump up the long straight, but actually he just eased her into the lead and said when he got down off her that there was still plenty in the tank.”

The trainer seldom makes firm plans for young horses but thought the Mares’ Hurdle a far likelier target than the Champion next year.

ARZAL MAKES ALL

LEAVING natural front-runners to do their own thing around Aintree can be costly and none of his rivals ever looked likely to trouble Harry Whittington’s Arzal in the opener, the Merseyrail Manifesto Novices’ Chase.

The 4/1 chance missed Cheltenham with a slight temperature but always looked too sprightly for L’Ami Serge and Henry de Bromhead’s favourite Sizing John. Whittington said everything about the race was right for the winner, who may well return for the Old Roan Chase early next term.

He led from the off and came home an eight length winner, giving Whittington his 21st winner of the season and his first Grade 1 victory.

Aintree would not be Aintree without a McCain-trained winner and Donald McCain was in an emotional state after 14/1 chance Katachenko and Wayne Hutchinson had just prevailed over Arthur Moore’s Dandridge in the Grade 3 Betfred Red Rum Handicap Chase.

To win the race named after the legendary hero trained by his late father Ginger would always be special but it meant even more on this occasion, McCain having lost some 80 horses owned by former principal supporters Mr and Mrs Rooney.

Nicky Henderson struck late in the day when another 14/1 shot Kayf Grace proved just too strong for Mullins’ Augusta Kate in the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ NH Flat Race.

Record high attendance

THE attendance on the opening day was a record 35,581, an increase of 829 on last year.

Two fatalities on day one

CLONBANAN Lad and Marasonnien died after being pulled up by their jockeys in the Fox Hunters’ Chase. The horses later collapsed, according to the British Horseracing Authority.

Professor Chris Proudman, veterinary adviser at Aintree said: “Neither (of the) incidents were associated with a fall.”