The French-trained First Gold stormed to a breathtaking victory in the Martell Cup at Aintree on Thursday.

Ridden by Thierry Doumen, First Gold took up the challenge on the first circuit and rarely looked troubled on the first day of the Grand National meeting.

Classy jumping and a sensible race saw the 7/4 favourite home, 10 lengths ahead of Lord Noelie (20/1) and Tony McCoy's mount Legal Right (4/1) in third.

His main pre-race challenger See More Business was tailed off after the first circuit in appallingly wet conditions.

Legal Right looked strong and was on First Gold's shoulder with two fences left to jump.

But a mistake ended his challenge and the King George VI chase winner First Gold took charge.

Afterwards, his trainer Francois Doumen told BBC Sport: "He is a fantastic horse, just fantastic. He is a dream jumper."

And his rider Thierry said he believed First Gold would have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup had the meeting not been cancelled because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

"It was a great shame he couldn't run, especially for his owner JP McManus."

Thierry Doumen will ride favourite and last year's Grand National winner Papillon in Saturday's race.