606: DEBATE Discuss Thursday's racing at Aintree

By Mark Orlovac & Phil Harlow

1730 John Smith's Handicap Hurdle (2m 4f)
1. Two Miles West (N Fehily) 25-1
2. Gods Token (L Treadwell) 33-1
3. Shatabdi (Mr S Waley-Cohen) 10-1

Two Miles West just edges out Gods Token in a dramatic finish to the final race of the opening day of the meeting.

Special Envoy made all the running and was well clear when he unseated jockey Tom O'Brien at the final hurdle, to leave Shatabdi in the lead.

But Sam Waley-Cohen's mount was overhauled at the death by Two Miles West on the rail and Gods Token on the near side with Noel Fehily's horse winning by a head on the line.

1655 Citroen Novices' Hurdle (2m 4f)
1. Tidal Bay (P J Brennan) 9-4
2. Wins Now (A P McCoy) 11-2
3. Bedlam Boy (A Dobbin) 25-1

Tony McCoy misses out on a second win as his mount Wins Now finishes second to Tidal Bay in the penultimate race of the day.

The 9-4 winner moved into contention down the back straight and held off Wins Now, partly thanks to a mistake at the last hurdle.

1640: I just want to say how fantastic Aintree looks - a far cry from those sad days when the course was pretty derelict, and almost sold for building in the Seventies.
Elspeth Carr, via email

1620 Red Rum Handicap Chase (2m)
1. Bambi De L'orme (Dominic Elsworth) 13-2
2. Marshall Hall (Graham Lee) 7-1
3. Locksmith (Wilson Renwick) 12-1

The Ian Williams-trained Bambi De L'Orme wins his first race in two years in the Red Rum Handicap Chase.

The grey takes advantage of a nasty fall for Andreas - with Ruby Walsh on board - on the penultimate fence.

"He's deserved it so much - he's been unlucky and missed out on so many occasions," said Williams.

"He really came up with the goods today."

Walsh, who is riding Hedgehunter in the Grand National on Saturday, is attended to by the physios in the changing room and is expected to be fine for the big one.

1545 Fox Hunters' Chase (2m 5f)
1. Scots Grey (Richard Burton) 9-2
2. Pak Jack (Richard Harding) 8-1
3. Where Now (Nina Carberry) 16-1
27 ran.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Scots Grey puts in a lion-hearted display to pip Pak Jack over the Grand National fences in the "Amateur's National".

With point-to-point star Richard Burton on board, the grey led almost from first to last - but the 12-year-old had to hold off the strongest of challenges from Pak Jack over the final few hurdles, eventually winning by half a length.

Nina Carberry was a distant third aboard Where Now, with 19 horses finishing the race.

1545: The inexperience of some of the horses and riders shows as the starter has to recall the field after six or seven horses break the tape before he is ready.

1543: The runners are circling around at the start of the Fox Hunters' Chase, which is run over the same fences as the Grand National.

1520: Is Robert Thornton a tall jockey, or was he standing on a box to talk to Clare Balding?
Matt Scott, Huddersfield via email

1510 John Smith's Anniversary 4-YO Hurdle (2m)
1. Katchit (Robert Thornton) Evens
2. Punjabi (Mick Fitzgerald) 6-1
3. Degas Art (Paddy Brennan) 15-2
12 ran.

Katchit follows up his Triumph Hurdle win at Cheltenham by taking the Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices' Hurdle.

Mick Fitzgerald's Punjabi looked a major challenge but his chance disappeared with a mistake at the third last that almost resulted in a fall.

There were no such problems for Katchit who was able to pull away to claim his seventh win from eight starts.

"We were really happy with the preparation but after the long season we hoped it was not one race too many. I am thrilled and I would like to thank all of the team."
Winning trainer Alan King.

1505: McCoy's next ride Tritonix does not like the look of the new arch that leads out to the course. The French horse kicks out at rival Marsam who also looks a little hesitant. After a bit of fuss, the pair are soon led out onto the track.

1435 Betfair Bowl (3m 1f)
1. Exotic Dancer (Tony McCoy) 6-4 Fav
2. My Will (Ruby Walsh) 10-1
3. Our Vic (Timmy Murphy) 5-1
5 ran.

Tony McCoy claims his first win of the Aintree Festival with a comfortable victory aboard favourite Exotic Dancer in the Betfair Bowl.

Exotic Dancer did make some mistakes but was far too strong for the rest of the field.

McCoy guided his charge onto the shoulder of My Will going into the closing stages but after taking the lead following the penultimate fence, Exotic Dancer stepped on the gas to romp home.

"He has done nothing but improve this year, it was nice to watch. He jumped reasonably well and did everything right."
Winning trainer Jonjo O'Neill.

1430: The horses are coming out for the second and feature race, the Betfair Bowl, which was won last year by Celestial Gold.

Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Exotic Dancer has been latched onto by the punters and is firm favourite.

1400 John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle (3m)
1. Mighty Man (Richard Johnson) 15-8
2. Black Jack Ketchum (AP McCoy) 7-4 Fav
3. Inglis Drever (Paddy Brennan) 7-2
6 ran.

A fine run from Richard Johnson as he steers Mighty Man to his second successive win in the Liverpool Hurdle.

After a slow start to the race, the Henry Daly-trained gelding took the lead with five to go.

He looked totally at ease, despite a late challenge from the Tony McCoy-ridden Black Jack Ketchum, and strolled home by around 12 lengths.

Blazing Bailey was also in the hunt but fell at the fourth last.

"He loves it around Aintree. He seems to be very different here, I don't know why but he does."
Winning trainer Henry Daly

1352: A very sore looking Tony McCoy, who will ride Black Jack Ketchum in the opening race, comes gingerly down the steps fresh from his fall at Hereford on Wednesday. Despite his pain he still manages to sign a few autographs.

1343: Aintree looks stunning after a �35m redevelopment which has seen the construction of two spanking new stands.

The first race of the day starts at 1400 and I thought I would quickly remind you that UK visitors to the website can watch the action live throughout the three days.

1330: It's a fine spring day at Aintree and an expectant crowd are bedecked in their finery.

The going is officially good, and in the first race all eyes will be on Black Jack Ketchum, who will hope to atone for two recent disappointing runs.

The day's feature race is the Betfair Bowl for which Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Exotic Dancer is the favourite.