Aintree: Ahoy Senor among Ladies' Day winners at Grand National meeting
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Fox and Ahoy Senor have formed a formidable partnership
Ahoy Senor put in a superb performance to win the Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase on day Ladies' Day at Aintree's Grand National meeting.
After finishing second behind L'Homme Presse at Cheltenham, the seven-year-old had a nervy moment at the first fence.
But the 4-1 chance got into a great rhythm after that and jumped strongly.
He bounded clear of his rivals to beat Fury Road by five lengths and could now target next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup.
It is another notable Aintree victory for jockey Derek Fox and Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell, who won the 2017 Grand National with One For Arthur and will combine with Mighty Thunder in Saturday's big race.
But Ahoy Senor's display means next season could be an exciting one for Russell and team.
"This time last year he was just amazing and this year he's been learning about his jumping, but each time he's raced he's got better and better," she said.
"At Cheltenham I thought he learned what he was meant to be doing and he showed it today - he was just outstanding. Cheltenham did make a man of him.
"Hopefully we'll end up with the Gold Cup, God willing. Now it's a dream again."
The evens favourite Jonbon battled to victory in the Top Novices' Hurdle and is likely to be aimed at next season's Arkle Chase at Cheltenham.
Jonbon, ridden by Aidan Coleman for trainer Nicky Henderson, edged out the Willie Mullins-trained El Fabiolo by a neck.
Repeat victory for Fakir D'oudairies
Fakir D'oudairies made it back-to-back wins in the Marsh Chase, justifying trainer Joseph O'Brien's decision to skip the Cheltenham Festival.
The 10-11 favourite had won at Ascot last time out but avoided a clash with Allaho in last month's Ryanair Chase.
Fakir D'oudairies was an impressive winner
Jockey Mark Walsh had his horse well-placed throughout - and when asked to quicken approaching the second-last, responded well to win by five-and-a-half lengths from Hitman.
"It's great to come here and have a winner," said O'Brien. "It's a special week and we're lucky to have good support and nice horses.
"This horse has been a great servant to us. It's as good a performance as he's put up. I was surprised he was as short a price as he was, to be honest."
Bowens celebrate family success
Sean Bowen will ride Samcro in Saturday's Grand National
Trainer Peter Bowen won the Topham Chase over the Grand National fences for the fifth time as Mac Tottie, ridden by his son Sean, claimed an emotional win.
The winner of the Grand Sefton in November went off at 8-1 and although Irish pair Batcio and Annamix threatened, he held on to triumph by four-and-a-half lengths with another Bowen-trained horse, Francky Du Berlais back in fourth.
"When dad wants to get one ready he really does the job," said Sean.
"To do it for your family is just different. Riding for your family, you can't put into words how much different it is, doing it for your mum and dad is just different."
Sheehan stood down
Meanwhile, jockey Gavin Sheehan missed his ride at Aintree on Friday after failing a breathalyser test.
He was replaced by Davy Russell on Speech Bubble in the day's opener, with the horse finishing 11th.
The British Horseracing Authority stewards' report read: "The jockey sampling officer reported that Gavin Sheehan had provided a sample that was found to contain alcohol above the threshold level for breath samples.
"The rider and the sampling officer were interviewed. The matter was referred to the head office of the BHA and Sheehan was stood down from riding for the rest of the day."
Sheehan had four rides at Ffos Las on Thursday and is scheduled to ride at Newcastle on Saturday.
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