Sans Bruit (5-1) powered his way to an impressive four and a half length victory in the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase for 14-times champion Jump trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden.

Paul Nicholls said: “He ran very well on good ground earlier in the season, but in the winter he hated that heavy ground. When he ran at Windsor, Cobby said, ‘we’ll just get him right in the spring and he’ll take all the beating in this race’, and that’s what we’ve done. He managed to run off with Freddie [Gingell] the other day at Chepstow, but the biggest thing is that he looks amazing now, this is his time of year, he’s come in his coat in his sunshine, he’s relaxed and we had him really, really right.

“I’m thrilled for Harry because this gives him some more points over Nico in the David Power Jockey’s Cup - he’s been doing well all season and he should hang on for second. The owner’s been patient - I kept saying to him, let’s wait for Aintree and hope that we get some proper spring ground.

“All of my Grand National horses are good ground horses and it should suit them. It’s a tough old race but I’d rather run them on good ground than really testing ground.”

Harry Cobden said: “Fair play to Paul. He’s had a lot of runs his season, but this has been his ultimate target. He’s come back here, off the right mark to run his race, and he’s done that. It’s brilliant. Days like this are what we do it for and it’s great to have a winner here.

“I’m very much looking forward to Kandoo Kid now in the big one. I’ve ridden him twice this week. He’s schooling well and his work is great, so it’s just up to me to steer him round now.”

Dan Skelton said of runner-up Calico: “They keep running well, and Calico has run his heart out. He likes the ground and he’s brilliant, but I’ve got a feeling it might have been a long term plan for the winner!”