Paul Townend delivers Boston Bob with perfect timing at Aintree

Paul Townend has carved out a niche by deputising for Ruby Walsh and he finally gained Grade One recognition in Britain with a wonderfully-timed challenge on Boston Bob in the Betfred Melling Chase at Aintree.

Although he has multiple big-race wins to his name in Ireland, where he was champion jockey in the 2010-11 season through the many rides he receives from the Willie Mullins stable, Townend has only struck once at the Cheltenham Festival and this was his first success at the famous Liverpool track.

With Walsh out injured after a fall at the Festival, the ride on Graham Wylie’s slightly frustrating Boston Bob became available and he sneaked the 5 to 1 shot up the rail from last to first but it was only in the final 50 yards that he drew three and a quarter lengths clear of Rolling Aces.

This was certainly not the best renewal of the famous intermediate-distance showpiece, which had entered Mullins’s mind with Boston Bob having started the season regaining confidence over hurdles before a more promising sixth in the Ryanair Chase.

“I’m fortunate and Ruby’s unfortunate, but it’s really good to ride a big winner here for Willie,” said Townend.

“I didn’t want to put him on his head early on, so I let him work his way into it and find his rhythm. He seems to have sorted himself out now, and he deserved that.”

Mullins said: “I was happier that he ran better than his finishing position at Cheltenham, so I thought I’d enter him in the two races here.

“Even though two and a half was not his trip, I thought it was a much easier race.

“We’ve plenty of time to go on to Punchestown. His owner might have two runners in the Gold Cup at Punchestown – (Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up) On His Own and this fella.”

Holywell (7 to 2) enjoyed handicap successes at the last two Cheltenham Festivals but Jonjo O'Neill's individual raised the bar higher in the Grade One Betfred Mobile Mildmay Novices' Chase.

Such has been the incremental progress of this slightly underestimated gelding, he took it easily in his stride and swept away Don Cossack by 10 lengths while the RSA winner and 3 to 1 favourite O’Faolains Boy looked a pale imitation here.

“In a few of his early races I was trying to teach him to jump and race, but he just likes to be ridden aggressively,” said jockey Tony McCoy.

“I would never have said he was (a Gold Cup horse) before, but he’s beaten them pretty convincingly and last year’s best staying novice won the Gold Cup (Lord Windermere) and on form he’s probably the best one this year.” The sponsor Betfred offer 16 to 1 for next year’s Gold Cup.

The International Festival For Business 2014 Top Novices' Hurdle went to Nicky Henderson for the fourth time in five years, with Josses Hill fitting an identical profile to his two most recent winners.

Like Darlan and My Tent Or Yours, the photogenic Josses Hill had been runner-up in the Supreme but his latest addition to the roll of honour will stray from their path of challenging for the Champion Hurdle.

Strong-finishing Supreme fourth Sgt Reckless briefly threatened the 6 to 4 favourite, who quickened again for Barry Geraghty to finish six lengths to the good.

Henderson said: “It’s been a good race for us and for those that didn’t quite win at Cheltenham.

“He looks like a chaser and he gallops as well as he looks. He looks like an Arkle horse to me.”

The victory of Josses Hill initiated a superb 175 to 1 treble on the afternoon for the formidable Henderson-Geraghty combination, with Ma Filleule securing the second leg of the hat-trick with a spring-heeled display in the Crabbie's Supporting Everton In The Community Topham Chase.

Having chased home Holywell at Cheltenham, the 9 to 1 shot brought strong form to the race and jumped impeccably over the Grand National fences on her way to an eight-length triumph over Bennys Mist.

Eastlake and Tatenen finished third and fourth respectively, with favourite Double Ross fifth.

Henderson said: “She enjoyed that. I hoped she would. She seemed very good at home.”

Henderson went on to suggest Ma Filleule might emulate last year’s winner Triolo D’Alene and return for the National next year.

“The idea in the Topham is to see if you can look at the National the next year,” he said.

An excellent afternoon's work was complete for the Seven Barrows team when Beat That slammed his opponents in the Grade One Doom Bar Sefton Novices' Hurdle.

The 6 to 1 chance cruised into the straight under a confident Geraghty and eventually wore down admirable front-runner Cole Harden to score by four lengths.

Sandy Thomson’s stable star and 7 to 2 favourite Seeyouatmidnight ran with credit in third, but was ultimately well beaten.

Henderson said: “We had to leave him alone for the winter what with the weather and the ground.

“This is a lovely horse for the future. I’d think he’d be chasing next year, but he’s only had three hurdles races and a bumper in his life.”

Clondaw Kaempfer (10 to 1) came out on top in a thrilling climax to the Alder Hey Children's Charity Handicap Hurdle for trainer Donald McCain and jockey Wayne Hutchinson, getting up to beat Caid Du Berlais by a neck.

Alan King's 25 to 1 shot Avispa was a surprise winner of the concluding Concerto Group Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race under Robert Thornton.