Racing: Al Eile produced another fine Liverpool performance to land his third Scottish and Newcastle Pub Enterprises Aintree Hurdle.
John Queally's charge won the race 12 months ago and in 2005, and also won at the spring Festival as a novice four years ago.
Always travelling kindly for Timmy Murphy, the 11-4 joint-favourite took over from long-time leader Osana at the penultimate flight before powering on to beat that rival by an easy 10 lengths.
The David Pipe-trained runner-up fought off Straw Bear for second spot, passing the post with two lengths in hand of Nick Gifford's gelding.
Tidal Bay (6-4 favourite) followed up his win in the Arkle at Cheltenham with another impressive performance, this time in the John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase.
Howard Johnson's charge appeared to be struggling half a mile out as Takeroc set a strong gallop up front.
But Denis O'Regan asked for a big effort before the second-last and he picked up in the style of a top-class performer to go away and win by six lengths. Modicum was third.
O'Regan said: "It's very special because most of the Cheltenham winners have been getting beat here this week, except for Our Vic.
"I'm just delighted because he didn't really travel that well today, and after Inglis Drever got beaten the other day I'm just over the moon.
"I had to really get stuck into him and I ended up giving him a hard race when I didn't need to at Cheltenham, but it was the Arkle.
"To be fair to him, two miles round here is sharp and I'm so pleased he came up with the goods."