Mirabad much the best at 50-1 for Durrell and Skelton Tristan Durrell registered the first Grade One success of his career when steering Mirabad to a shock 50-1 success in the Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree. It was Dan Skelton first string Be Aware in the front rank for most of the two-mile event alongside Willie Mullins’ 8-11 favourite Salvator Mundi, but the complexion of the race would change in the home straight. The Closutton raider had beaten off the persistent threat of Be Aware when edging to the lead two out – but Durrell was statuesque aboard Mirabad in his shadows and on the long run to the last was simply waiting for his moment to pounce. He jumped the final obstacle in front and galloped on to a six-length success to cap a fine year for Skelton’s number two, who struck aboard Panic Attack in Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup earlier in the season. Durrell, who is set to be crowned champion conditional jockey later this month, said: “It’s unbelievable to win a Grade One, I can’t believe it. I’ve never been close to winning one, my best chance was yesterday (L’Eau Du Sud in the Melling Chase) and I was really disappointed. “It’s amazing to actually to bag one today. I couldn’t believe how well he was travelling. I knew the race would suit him if they went fast and I knew he’d run well, but it was a question whether he was good enough to win, which he obviously was. “It’s looking that way (will be champion conditional), I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch, but hopefully we’ll get across the line. “Coming here and winning a Grade One tops off an amazing season really.” The result marked a remarkable change in fortunes for Mirabad, who kicked off the season with a disappointing run as a leading fancy for the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November on what was his first start for the Skelton team. Skelton said: “I got the trip right, I just got the ground, the obstacles and the time of year wrong! “After he ran the way he did in the Greatwood we said we can’t carry on like that, he’s going to have to go over fences to learn some manners. “With a bit more experience he’s learning to settle, we’ve ridden him today to do that and he’s got loads of ability obviously. “It’s great for Tristan. He’s going to be champion conditional this year and he’s a Grade One winner. Harry (Skelton) is getting older and we’ll need a (stable) jockey in five or six years or however long Harry has got left – I’m not retiring him! “Tristan has just improved and improved. We hoped he’d be that rider for us, every time we send him out he gets a bit better and we’re very proud that he’s a homegrown talent.” Willie Mullins said of the runner-up: “He just didn’t jump as well as he can today, and I think that probably made the difference. “He’ll go to Punchestown, of course he will. These horses have pretty light campaigns through the season so that when the spring festivals come around they can really get to work.”
