Zarkandar narrowly fought off The New One to claim victory in one of the most exciting Aintree Hurdle finishes in history.
With two furlongs to run Zarkandar, The New One, Thousand Stars, Oscar Whisky, Countrywide Flame and Grandouet were spread right across the track and all six looked like potential winners.
Zarkandar and The New One broke away from the field and despite being headed on a number of occasions Zarkandar was strong enough in the final moments of the race to win by half a length.
Zarkandar was given a brilliant ride by Ruby Walsh who dictated the pace of the event to score himself his fourth Aintree Hurdle title.
“I got to the start and there was no pace so I made my own plan and I knew it would be okay by Paul, that’s the lucky position I’m in,” Walsh said.
Trainer Paul Nicholls was delighted with the victory and said the addition of blinkers made a major difference to the performance of the son of Azamour.
“I just felt in the Champion Hurdle he gave up easy enough,” Nicholls said.
“I worked him last Saturday and he was very ordinary, so on Tuesday we worked him in the blinkers and it was like watching two different horses.”
The New One was gallant in defeat and could have easily been the winner if he had jumped better.
For a five-year-old novice taking on the older horses he’s had the race won everywhere but the line,” trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said.
“He’s definitely up to Champion Hurdle class and we’ve got ourselves a very nice horse.”
In the other major race of the opening day of the Festival at Aintree First Lieutenant upset the highly-fancied Silviniaco Conti to win the Grade 1 Betfred Bowl Chase.
Menorah produced a brave front-running performance but could not hold out First Lieutenant while Silviniaco Conti ran on well for third but never looked a likely winner.
The victory was First Lieutenant’s first this season, after running several strong places, and trainer Mouse Morris said it was richly deserved.
“He’s not run a bad race all season, running well behind all those good horses, and I’m so pleased for the horse,” Morris said.
The Festival at Aintree continues today with the Grade 1 Melling Chase followed by the 2013 Grand National on Saturday.
You can find the best 2013 Grand National odds at 
Bet365.
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