Fadalko beat the atrocious conditions and his rivals to win the Martell Melling Chase at Aintree.

With Grand National winner Ruby Walsh on board, the 9-2 shot powered to victory in the Grade One race.

The Martin Pipe-trained Lady Cricket (8-1) finished 16 lengths adrift in second, with Direct Route 13 lengths further back in third.

The victory came as no surprise to the winning trainer, Paul Nicholls.

"He's a really talented horse when he's right," he said."He's best when fresh and he's a real spring horse and I really fancied him for the Champion Chase.

"He doesn't need to run again this season and his two main targets next year will be the Champion Chase and back here again."

Favourite Tiutchev (9-4) blew his chances early on by falling at the very first fence while Flagship Uberalles never looked comfortable and came home fourth.

Gower-Slave galloped through the mud to claim the John Hughes Trophy Chase, run over the National fences.

The 14-1 shot, ridden by Richard Johnson, fought off the challenge of Goguenard (12-1) and Scotmail Boy (100-1) in the run-in to pocket the �32,500 top prize.

Joint favourite Bindaree (7-1) came home fourth in a race which claimed its fair share of victims.

Only seven of the 24 starters finished, with four falling at Becher's Brook.

Trainer Philip Hobbs revealed afterwards that Gower Slave was lucky to escape with his eyesight after that incident.

"A horse fell at Becher's in front of him and cut him under the eye," said Hobbs.

"It also kicked Richard on the foot. Luckily they survived it all. Another inch..."

Earlier, Red Striker lightened the gloom for punters with a well-backed win in the opener.

The 7-2 favourite justified owner/trainer Norman Mason's faith by ploughing through the mud to lift the Heidsieck Diamant Bleu Novices' Handicap Chase.

In the Martell Mersery Novices' Hurdle, Montalcino (100-30) came past the post in first spot, with 100-1 shot Takeyourtime second and 14-1 Run For Paddy in third.

The horse, who came down at the 10th fence, continued without his rider.

But he then fell at a later fence and died as a result of spinal injuries.

David Muir, the RSPCA's equine consultant, said afterwards: "It was a most unusual accident and could never be predicted.

"However we are never complacent about any death on a race course and we will continue to work with the racing industry to minimise risks."