Uxizandre lands Grade 1 prize

Uxizandre proved his excellent run in defeat at the Cheltenham Festival was no fluke by claiming Grade 1 honours in the Pinsent Masons Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree.

Alan King's six-year-old was a 33-1 shot when pushing Taquin Du Seuil all the way in the JLT Novices' Chase at Prestbury Park last month, but just 11-4 for his Merseyside mission and jumped well towards the head of affairs and had seen off closest rival and Arkle Trophy winner Western Warhorse early in the home straight.

Hot favourite Oscar Whisky, who fell at the first fence in the JLT at Cheltenham, was being scrubbed along by Barry Geraghty in last place shortly before the turn for home, but responded to pressure once straightened up and tried to close down Uxizandre after the final fence, but the Tony McCoy's mount found enough to take the spoils by a length and a half.

King said: "He ran a hell of a race at Cheltenham. We wondered if it was a fluke or not, but clearly not.

"I'm not saying he's ungenuine, but you can disappoint him. He gets the trip well. We had him in the three-mile race on Friday (Mildmay Novices' Chase) and it was a toss-up which way we went with him."

McCoy said: "You could never ride him on a right-handed track, so that limits him a bit. Looking at that, maybe the Ryanair could be a long-term (aim).

"He's probably improved for his run at Cheltenham."

Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, said: "It's good to see him put in another good run after Cheltenham and that'll be it for the year."

Dai Walters, owner of Oscar Whisky, said: "If he had jumped a bit better I think he'd have been closer. Obviously he's going into chasing quite late, but if age doesn't beat him, hopefully he'll keep improving."

Western Warhorse has also finished for the season.

Trainer David Pipe said: "He doesn't help himself, but there was nothing left in the home straight. He had a hard race at Cheltenham and hopefully he can go for good two-mile chases next year."