If Burrows Saint goes half as well as Livelovelaugh in the Randox Topham Chase over the big fences in the Grand National then Patrick Mullins should be in for a dream ride.
Mullins made nearly every yard of the running on the Rich Ricci-owned chaser on Friday and Livelovelaugh jumped from fence to fence to break his duck over the larger obstacles.
Four out he was a good 10 lengths clear and when the pack began to close on him it was only because Ireland’s most successful amateur rider was giving the 11-year-old a breather.
In the end the 15/2 shot, who failed to get the trip when he ran in the 2019 Grand National, won by four-and-a-half lengths, beating Pink Eyed Pedro who went off at 33/1.
"It was the perfect preparation for tomorrow," said Mullins. "It’s probably the biggest thrill I’ve ever had on a horse. If you could bottle it…"
Although there were several false starts before the race, the National course was in benign mood and it took until Foinavon’s fence, the 11th in the Topham, before there was a faller.
Grand National 2021: All you need to know
Mark Walsh, another jockey with a terrific chance in the National when he rides Any Second Now, also scored a comfortable win over Nuts Well on Fakir D’Oudairies in the Marsh Chase. Joseph O’Brien’s chaser had been second in four Grade Ones since his last victory at that level.
"He deserved his day in the sun - he’s been running great all season, so I’m delighted he got his head in front," said Walsh. "He had a hard race in the Ryanair at Cheltenham and Joseph has done well to freshen him up, and he’s done it well today."
It was a second win on the card for JP McManus after the nothing if not lucky Chantry House, trained by Nicky Henderson, won the Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase to add to his win in the Marsh at Cheltenham.
In Gloucestershire the seven-year-old may have benefited from the fall of Envoi Allen early on and on Friday he looked destined for second behind Espoir De Romay until the leader fell at the second last.
Chantry House won the Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase - GETTY IMAGES
There was a two-minute silence before Friday's first race at 1.45pm, while jockeys have been invited to wear black armbands and the Union flag above the grandstand is flying at half-mast. Similar tributes are planned on National day.
"We received the news of The Duke of Edinburgh’s death with great sadness," the Jockey Club's senior steward Sandy Dudgeon said.
"On behalf of The Jockey Club, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, and all members of the Royal Family."
The Duke of Edinburgh, a regular at Royal Ascot but a rare visitor to other meetings, was an honorary member of The Jockey Club.
In a statement, the Jockey Club confirmed Saturday's card will go ahead, adding: "Following the sad news of the death of The Duke of Edinburgh a two-minute silence will be held on course ahead of the 173rd Randox Grand National, jockeys will be invited to wear black armbands and flags will be flown at half-mast at the racecourse."
When the Queen Mother - who came so close to winning the race with Devon Loch in 1956 - died in 2002 it was a week before the Grand National but the race was held, with Bindaree winning. The Queen Mother was buried on the Tuesday following the race.
Grand National Festival 2021: live updates from day two at Aintree as tributes paid to Duke of Edinburgh - EPA
Lorna Brooke in intensive care
04:34 PM
All eyes on the big one
With the first two days done and dusted everyone's attention will now turn towards Saturday's card - culminating in the Grand National at 5.15pm.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the world's most famous horse race.
Grand National 2021: All you need to know
04:23 PM
Thrilling finish
To the last race of the day!
Rowland Ward gets up on the line to nick it from Camprond. They were neck and neck on the run-in but Charlie Hammond just managed to eke out a little extra from his mount.
Rowland Ward 12/1
Camprond 9/2 JF
Bold Enough 11/2
Leoncavallo 6/1
04:14 PM
The final race of the day is due off at 5.15pm
It's the Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle over 2m 1/2f.
Philip Hobbs' Camprond and Olly Murphy's Copperless are the market leaders at around 4/1.
04:03 PM
Ahoy Senor's 'unbelievable' performance
That stunning win was just his second start over hurdles, after he made a winning debut at Ayr last month.
His jockey Derek Fox said: "It's unbelievable as he's only had the one run over hurdles before. He works so well at home and everyone thinks a lot of him. I'm delighted.
"He's a very talented horse. He does everything with so much ease and he's a pleasure to ride - I'm very lucky to be on him."
03:53 PM
4.40pm result
Ahoy Senor 66/1
Bravemansgame 13/8 F
Oscar Elite 15/2
03:49 PM
Sefton Novices' Hurdle
What a performance from Ahoy Senor. The 66/1 shot leads them all the way round under a canny ride from Derek Fox and wins it by six lengths!
Ahoy Senor (right) clears the last fence to win the Doom Bar Sefton Novices' Hurdle - EPA
03:37 PM
Reaction from Patrick Mullins
After his impressive win on Livelovelaugh. He rides Burrows Saint in the Grand National tomorrow.
"He jumped spectacularly today...he was enjoying himself so much. When I got to the Melling Road I had a look behind and got a fright how far clear we were. I had no idea, because I couldn't hear anything. It was a fantastic performance. It's indescribable (to ride a winner over those fences). I always wanted to win one race over these fences before I retired as my father won the Foxhunters', so this kind of puts us level."
A brilliant front-running performance from the winner who jumped superbly throughout. He was joined by Pink Eyed Pedro at the last but found plenty to win by about six lengths for Patrick and Willie Mullins.
03:11 PM
It's all a bit of a mess at the start
There are 26 runners and it's very congested - but they manage to get under way at about the fifth attempt
02:55 PM
We're back over the Grand National fences
For the next race, the Randox Topham Handicap Chase over 2m 5f. It's due off at 4.05pm.
Fakir D'oudairies surges ahead of Politologue and Nuts Well and jumps it seven lengths clear. He's absolutely romped home!
02:30 PM
Politologue
Jumps into a share of the lead with Master Tommytucker at the eighth last. Then Master Tommytucker makes another mistake at the next fence. He's still in the lead but has been all over the place with his jumping.
02:29 PM
What a recovery!!
An unbelievable effort from Sam Twiston-Davies to stay on Master Tommytucker who raps the third fence.
His jockey looks all set to be flung off but Twiston-Davies shows fantastic athleticism to stay on board.
02:27 PM
The Marsh Chase
Gets under way at the third time of asking
02:14 PM
Splendid isolation
Chantry House was all on his own at the final fence on the way to winning the Mildmay Novices' Chase
Nico de Boinville and Chantry House clear the last - AFP
02:06 PM
2.50pm result
Chantry House 11/8 F
Shan Blue 9/2
Fiddlerontheroof 15/2
02:02 PM
Confirmed
The Grand National will go ahead as planned tomorrow after the death of Prince Philip.
CONFIRMED: Randox Grand National Day goes ahead tomorrow.
Espoir De Romay and David Bass are both up safely according to ITV.
It looked all set for a grandstand finish but in the end Chantry House sauntered home unopposed. He follows up his win in the Marsh Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.
01:58 PM
Espoir De Romay falls at the second last!
What a shame for David Bass and his horse.
It leaves Chantry House all clear with a run at the final fence, and he's about 20 lengths ahead of Shan Blue.
Chantry House jumps the final flight safely and cruises home.
01:56 PM
Sixth last
Shan Blue jumps into a share of the lead alongside Espoir De Romay. Chantry House being pushed along in third.
It's between these three.
01:54 PM
Ten fences to jump
Espoir De Romay has a two-length advantage and is travelling nicely.
Shan Blue in second. Sporting John has been pulled up after struggling throughout.
01:50 PM
The next race
Is due off imminently.
Here are the top three in the betting for the 3m 1f Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase :
For Pleasure led from the front and pushed the pace in customary style but tailed off with three to jump.
Belfast Banter cruised into the lead over the last and just managed to hold off Do Your Job and Dusart on the run-in.
Belfast Banter 9/1
Do Your Job 12/1
Dusart 5/2
01:15 PM
Nico de Boinville interviewed on ITV
It's very sad news, we're all honouring Prince Philip with our black armbands today. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family.
01:07 PM
Sir AP McCoy pays tribute to Prince Philip
First and foremost, my deepest condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family. I was very lucky to spend time in [Prince Philip's] company at Windsor Castle. He was a very interesting man and a very interested man.
12:54 PM
Today's first race
Has been won by 22/1 shot Tronador.
There were eight or nine in contention over the final flight but Jack Kennedy's mount powered through to win comfortably in the end.
Tronador 22/1
Dans Le Vent 18/1
Edwardstone 7/1
Mister Coffey 6/1 F
12:48 PM
Racegoers and jockeys pay their respects
During the two-minute silence for Prince Philip
Racegoers and riders observe a two-minute silence for the late Prince Philip - PA
The two minute-silence for the late Prince Philip at Aintree - Getty Images
12:31 PM
Grand National's final 40 confirmed
The field of 40 has been confirmed for Saturday's Randox Grand National.
There were no non-runners announced by the 1pm cut-off time today, so all four reserves - Some Neck, Secret Reprieve, Kauto Riko and Fagan - were eliminated.
On the benefits of sport, the Duke of Edinburgh once said: "You learn to co-operate, sublimate your personality into teams, to win and lose."
12:13 PM
Union flag at half-mast
The Union flag above Aintree Racecourse's grandstand is flying at half-mast in honour of Prince Philip - PA
12:04 PM
Tributes to Prince Philip
From the Jockey Club's senior steward Sandy Dudgeon
We received the news of The Duke of Edinburgh’s death with great sadness. On behalf of The Jockey Club, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, and all members of the Royal Family.
The first race is due off at 1.45pm - it's the G3 Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle over 2m 4f.
Twenty-two runners will be tackling 11 hurdles. Wilde About Oscar heads the market at 13/2.
11:00 AM
Hello and welcome
To our coverage of day two of the Grand National Festival at Aintree.
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson dominated the headlines on day one, with horses he co-owns - Protektorat, Monmiral and Clan Des Obeaux - winning the first three races of the afternoon.
After his memorable hat-trick Sir Alex said: "Winning is the name of the game - and winning on Merseyside, they (locals) will all be happy!"
Clan Des Obeaux's success came in the Betway Bowl, a race which saw dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll finish 92 lengths back in fourth place. While it is disappointing the people's favourite hasn't been entered for a bid to join Red Rum in the history books with a third National it was fantastic to see him get around safely.
Today's feature race is the Melling Chase at 3.25pm. Politologue won this one back in 2018 and currently heads the betting at 11/4 ahead of Fakir D'oudairies and Dashel Drasher.
One of the other notable names on the track today is Nicky Henderson's Chantry House who goes in the Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase at 2.50pm - he's bidding to complete a Cheltenham-Aintree double after winning the Marsh Novices' Chase in Gloucestershire last month.
Grand National 2021: All you need to know
Understandably, thoughts will already be turning to the big race on Saturday. After its cancellation last year, millions of people across the UK and the rest of the world will be eagerly awaiting this year's Aintree showpiece.
And we've got you covered here at Telegraph Sport with all you need to know ahead of the Grand National, including:
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