• Aintree Festival Day Two

Albertas Run lands Melling thriller

Albertas Run takes the last on his way to victory © Getty Images

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3:10: Melling Chase

1: Albertas Run 8/1
2: Forpadydeplasterer 4/1JF
3: Monet's Garden 15/2

AP McCoy steered Albertas Run to victory in the Melling Chase at Aintree after a thrilling race.

Jonjo O'Neill's nine-year-old lurked ominously behind the leaders for the long periods - before pulling ahead of Monet's Garden halfway up the home straight.

Champion Chase runner-up Forpadydeplasterer made late inroads into McCoy's lead, but the surge was ultimately futile as Albertas Run held on for the three-length victory.

"I feel he's a horse that likes a little bit of room, doesn't like to be crowded," McCoy said. "I knew when I came round the bend, I wanted to really stretch her [in the home straight]."

Joint favourite Kalahari King fell at the second fence.

4:20: Sefton Novices' Hurdle

1: Wayward Prince 9/1
2: Western Leader 5/1F
3: Cannington Brook 20/1

After setting a strong pace, Western Leader looked set to repel the challenge of Wayward Prince as the race approached its end. However, after a sloppy effort at hurdling the last, Western Leader's stride stuttered - allowing Wayward Prince to come scorching through and claim the victory.

3:45: Topham Chase

1: Always Waining 22/1
2: Scotsirish 14/1
3: Isn't That Lucky 16/1

Always Waining, ridden by Brian Hughes for Peter Bowen, ran away with the Topham Chase after Howard Johnson's Frankie Figg fell two fences from home. After setting a pace that isolated them from the rest of the field, the two jostled for position at the front - with Always Waining looking set to overtake Frankie Figg and win the battle before the latter fell.

2:35: Mildmay Novices' Chase

1: Burton Port 9/2
2: Dance Island 33/1
3: Take the Breeze 8/1

Barry Geraghty secured his second win of the day by claiming a stylish victory atop Burton Port. Geraghty was able to gauge exactly when to emerge from the pack in the late stages of the race, a crucial decision that contributed to a comfortable win.

3/1 favourite Ogee, ridden by Jimmy McCarthy, failed to make any impression after becoming visibly shaken following some clumsy hurdling. Door Boy, who held a two-length lead at the 12th, faded badly in the final stages of the race.

2:00: Top Novices' Hurdle

1: General Miller 7/1
2: Menora 7/4F
3: Inventor 12/1

General Miller left it late to claim a victory by a neck from favourite Menora at the Top Novices' Hurdle. General Miller, ridden by Barry Geraghty, trailed by a length going into the final stretch before producing a blistering late sprint.

Trainer Nicky Henderson lauded his charge's handling of the fences. "She jumped really well today," he said. "It hasn't been his strongest suit all through the winter but he jumped slickly today - and that's what you have to do in these races."

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