Mouth-watering Irish Champion clash

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.

I'm from Moyglass, Co Tipperary and I had a pony at home which I rode out around the gallop at my grandfather's (trainer Matty Tynan) place. I'd see the lads riding out at home and I'd want to ride out with them. I kept asking my grandad and uncle, and they kept saying to wait a while, so I rode the ponies for a few years. Even before I started riding out, my grandad would come out with me after school every day on the pony. He taught me what to do and what not to do. He also helped me a lot when I was pony racing and he has been great in giving me that start.

Jack Kennedy feels the success of Gerri Colombe at Down Royal on St Patrick's Day will have done his confidence the world of good.