Waining takes Topham in style

Always Waining ran away with an incident-packed renewal of the John Smith's Topham Chase over the National fences at Aintree.

Ridden by Brian Hughes for Peter Bowen, the nine-year-old could be seen travelling and jumping sweetly throughout.

Howard Johnson's Frankie Figg set a tremendous pace up front in the hands of Wilson Renwick and for a long way the race only concerned the front two.

Always Waining was definitely travelling the better when Frankie Figg unseated Renwick two fences from home which meant he came home in splendid isolation.

The winner finished fourth in the race last year but was pulled up over hurdles on his last outing, meaning he was sent off at 22-1.

Willie Mullins' Scotsirish ran a cracker under top weight to come home second but he was 12 lengths away. Isn't that Lucky and the Mullins-trained Dooneys Gate took the minor honours.

Hughes said: "That was amazing. It's all down to him. There were some great jumps, he's not very big, but he's brave.

"And Peter Bowen has done some training performance. He said he had him back to his best this week.

"I'm just delighted to get such a brilliant spare ride. I've had a few nice victories but to have a winner over the National fences is something else."

Trainer's wife Karen Bowen added: "He did it brilliantly. A lot of people had written him off but I had confidence in him because he'd run really well round here last year. He finished fourth and he jumped absolutely brilliantly.

"I thought the big fences would bring a revival out of him, but I didn't realise just how much.

"He was really well handicapped. He was off 12lb less than when he was fourth in this race last year.

"He hasn't been running up to form, but I think he's been keeping a bit up his sleeve for himself. He just loves these fences."

Frankie Figg's rider Renwick said: "I had a great ride off him. I thought he still had every chance, he was still picking up.

"He's put down at the second-last and got in a bit tight and his backend came up a bit high.

"I was happy with him, I'd got a breather into him. It's still a long way from the second-last, but I was still happy with him."

Mullins was thrilled with his pair, adding: "We're delighted with both of them and just disappointed for Katie (Walsh) that the other one (Pomme Tiepy) went at the first fence.

"I think both horses will have an Aintree National entry next year, the way they jumped round, these fences hold no fears for them."

Big Time Billy completed a memorable day for Peter Bowen when springing a surprise in the John Smith's Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Big Time Billy was sent off a largely unconsidered 28-1 chance despite a debut victory at Ludlow.

Irish raider Style Of Campile and the strongly fancied Dare To Doubt both cruised into contention but while they were fighting it out on the far side of the track, Big Time Billy had the benefit of the rail and galloped all the way to the line to take Listed honours.