Cyrus Darius impresses Malcolm Jefferson is excited at the prospect of Cyrus Darius going novice chasing next season after the six-year-old romped to victory in the E-Lites Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. The 8-1 shot put his rivals to the sword as he pulled clear in the closing stages to give jockey Brian Hughes his 99th winner of the campaign. There was 10 lengths back to Vago Collonges in second place, with Qewy third. Jefferson said: "It's always hard to throw them in the deep end. There's always the best horse in the race (Glingerburn, who was fourth) doesn't run to his form, and the rest of them were much of a muchness. "The owner wanted to go to Perth, but I thought he's going to grass after this so we'll take our chance. "He's a lovely, big horse that travels really well. I've always longed to have a really good two-mile chaser and he could be the one. He has a lot of speed and he's very nimble." Cyrus Darius was given a 20-1 quote for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham next March with Paddy Power. Conditional jockey Jerry McGrath got the better of champion Tony McCoy to land the spoils on Theinval in the Alder Hey Children's Charity Handicap Hurdle. McGrath brought the Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old to join the leaders at the third-last flight before going on two out, only to discover the threatening presence of the soon-to-retire McCoy coming at him on the run home on 11-2 favourite The Saint James. However, the 3lb claimer kept Theinval (7-1) up to his work to win by half a length. Daneking was a length away third and Stonebrook fourth. Henderson felt Theinval deserved his success after not making the cut at Cheltenham. He said: "He's been doing everything right. He was unlucky to just get ballotted out at Cheltenham. We ran him in the consolation race at Kempton, which was a great idea. He won that and consequently got a penalty for it. "He's done well to win again and it's great he's got his proper prize. He's going the right way and is very likeable. He's a nice, genuine, uncomplicated horse. Barry (Geraghty) suggested we put earplugs in him. "We miss him (Geraghty, who is injured), but we've got a great team and Jerry gave him a lovely ride."
