Irish raider Honesty Policy (5-1) got up in the closing stages to score by half a length in the first Grade One contest on Grand National Day, the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle over two and a half miles.

Successful trainer Gordon Elliott said: “The horses are running well, we’re having more seconds than thirds, and obviously we had three winners at Wexford yesterday, but we’re just not getting the rub of the green. The horses are running well, but as I said at Cheltenham, all my staff and owners are all standing by me strong, they’re running well.

“He’ll be a three-mile horse. I’d say the ground was as quick as he wanted it, Mark looked like he was going as quick as he could the whole way. He was in front at the right time.”

Winning rider Mark Walsh said: “He’s very well-named - he’s as honest as the day is long. It’s only his fourth run over hurdles and he’s still inexperienced, and, in fairness to him, when he got going after the third-last he never raised his head off the ground and galloped all the way to the line. I was hopeful going to the last - he jumped and picked up well, but he wasn’t going as quickly after the last as I’d have liked, but I knew he had enough left in the tank. He’ll have no problem going over fences last year.

“I’m delighted for Gordon and all the team - to get a winner here means a lot to them.”

Trainer Paul Nicholls, who watched the race with the runner-up’s part-owner Sir Alex Ferguson and Regent’s Stroll’s other owners, said: “That just shows he’s a real smart horse, and he’s learning all the time. That’s probably the best he’s run. He jumped brilliant, and he’s just chilled a bit more today. I thought better ground would help and I’m thrilled with him.

“It’s a long-term project with a horse like him and as I said to the lads, Rome wasn’t built in a day. What a super chaser he’s going to make.”