Daryl Jacob shines as 'attritional' mare Zambella outguns Irish hotpot

Saturday: Aintree

Wind and rain buffeted the four runners in the Listed mares' chase, but Zambella did not shirk the challenge as she ran out a gutsy all-the-way winner under an inspired Daryl Jacob ride.

The race was rescheduled from last Sunday's lost Carlisle card and Cheltenham Festival runner-up Elimay stood her ground and was sent off at 2-5.

However, she was unable to land a blow in third as Zambella galloped on strongly to put nearly five lengths back to Annie Mc at the line.

"It was attritional, but she's attritional herself," said Jacob. "She leaves nothing out there and gives everything in every race she runs in, even at home she's hard on herself. She's a lovely mare who's very likeable."

Winning trainer Nigel-Twiston-Davies added: "It was a tactically astute ride. She jumps well, she stays and she'd had the benefit of a run, which the others hadn't. I think that was the difference. All these mares' races will be the plan, we'll just follow the Pattern."

Nigel Twiston-Davies: 'It was a tactically astute ride'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Zambella was cut to 16-1 (from 66) by Betfair Sportsbook for the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, a race she fell in at the third-last when still going okay last season.

Perfect start

North Lodge beat two last-time-out winners to spring a 14-1 surprise on his debut in the 2m1f novice hurdle.

The market was headed by well-backed 5-4 favourite Bombs Away and Richmond Lake (2-1), but the Alan King-trained outsider outgunned the pair on the run-in to get off to the perfect start.

Max McNeill, who owns the winner with Niall Farrell, said: "I know the first two in the betting are well thought of, but I thought he'd run well. He's a horse we like a lot and it was a really good performance."

Aintree first

Ross O'Sullivan celebrated his first Aintree winner after Sea Sessions led home an Irish 1-2-3-4 in the Listed fillies' juvenile hurdle.

"To have a winner here is a dream come true," said O'Sullivan, who saddled Baie Des Iles in the 2018 Grand National.

"We're a small enough yard with 30-35 horses, so it's massive to get a winner like that."

Rowley on a roll

My Bobby Dazzler extended Mel Rowley's unbeaten record at the course to five since the trainer took out a full licence at the start of the year.

The Bob Barrett-owned six-year-old has been responsible for three of those victories after bolting up by 21 lengths in the 3m½f handicap hurdle.

Rowley's perfect Aintree record came to an end, however, when Wishing And Hoping was pulled up in the Many Clouds Chase.

Results, replays and analysis

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