JP McManus hails 'special' week after Sire Du Berlais downs Flooring Porter

Saturday: Liverpool Hurdle, Aintree

A golden week on Merseyside for JP McManus got even better on Saturday as Sire Du Berlais roared back to life to topple Stayers' Hurdle hero Flooring Porter in a gripping Liverpool Hurdle.

It was a first Grade 1 success at the age of ten for the dual Pertemps Final winner, who failed to meet expectations in the same Cheltenham Festival contest when last seen finishing in midfield when 11-2 co-favourite.

However, an inspired call from Gordon Elliott to step Sire Du Berlais back into top-level company reaped dividends, with in-form rider Mark Walsh seen at his strongest aboard the 16-1 upset winner.

Victory in the JRL Group-backed prize ensured McManus was crowned champion owner for the three-day meeting thanks to a fantastic five Grade 1 victories.

JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle: full result and race replay

McManus said: "It's very special. I didn't think this could happen at the start of the week. When you have luck in the morning you have luck in the evening. I'd have thought Champ was the most likely of ours to win but Sire Du Berlais could pick up some prize-money – it was the other way around.

"He didn't get a great passage at Cheltenham, it was a bit rough for him, but we got the benefit of him not getting too hard a race."

It was a case of the floodgates opening all at once for Elliott, who had been thumping the crossbar with Grade 1 seconds before Three Stripe Life opened his Aintree account earlier on the card.

Walsh was eager to pay tribute to the leading trainer's placement of the 156-rated performer. The jockey made it a hat-trick of wins at the highest level after steering Fakir D'Oudairies and Gentleman De Mee to Aintree success, while Aidan Coleman partnered McManus's other Grade 1 scorers Epatante and Jonbon.

"Fair play to Gordon," said Walsh, who picked up a two-day ban for careless riding in the process.

"He had this horse in some form because things didn't go right for him in the Pertemps when disappointing and it was a brave call to run him here.

"He winged around here and jumped great. This is some tough little horse. It just goes to show you how good a trainer Gordon is – all the praise has to go to him."

Mark Walsh: 'This is some tough little horse'Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Elliott said: "It was a bit of a surprise but that's the game we're in. We'll take it whatever way we can. I'm delighted he's won. We've got two Grade 1 winners now so we're happy – we won't complain.

"I put on a tie today to do something different to try to change my luck. Things were going bad over the last couple of weeks but I think you might see me wearing it more often now."

Gavin Cromwell wasn't too dejected over the defeat of the 11-8 favourite, who got fractious on his way to post under Danny Mullins, who also received a two-day ban for using his whip in the incorrect place on the run to the line.

Cromwell said: "All things considered, I'm delighted with him. Look, we came hoping to win and didn't but he was a little bit fresh and gassy going to the start and he was gassy in the race as well. It's a balancing act. They're the small margins."

Third-placed Champ was unable to land a blow and finished 20 lengths behind Flooring Porter. Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "I thought today would have been his day as I felt he would like this track as he won on his only other start here.

"He probably prefers a flat track to a bumpy track but ran well. He has got all sorts of options next season and he could always go back to fences."

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