On The Fringe gave Nina Carberry a dream outing over the Grand National fences when posting a stylish success in the Crabbie's Fox Hunters' Chase at Aintree.
In a race which claimed its fair share of casualties, including last year's winner Warne, an ice-cool Carberry, who is to ride First Lieutenant in Saturday's Grand National, delivered the 5-2 favourite with a perfectly-timed challenge to become the first horse since Double Silk back in 1993 to win both the Cheltenham and Aintree hunters chases in the same season.
Travelling well throughout the extended two-mile-five-furlong contest, the Enda Bolger-trained winner effortlessly moved up on to the shoulders of the hard-driven Pacha Du Polder in a matter of strides after the last before going on to score by three and-three-quarter lengths.
"I'm pleased another Carberry has won over these fences after Tommy and Paul" - Enda Bolger
Bolger said: "She just had a plan in her head to sit fifth or sixth and keep out of trouble.
"It doesn't always work out like that, but it did today.
"He's always been a good jumper and some day he could run in the La Touche Cup (at Punchestown) as he's good over the banks as well.
"I'm pleased another Carberry has won over these fences after Tommy and Paul."
Clarcam left his below-par performance in the Arkle behind when running out an impressive winner of the One Magnificent City Manifesto Novices' Chase to initiate a first- and last-race double for trainer Gordon Elliott.
Sent into a clear lead by Ruby Walsh after the fourth fence, the five-year-old put in a foot-perfect round of jumping.
Although Vibrato Valtat looked a serious threat on the run to the final fence, the 5-1 shot put the race to bed with another bold jump at the last before scoring by four lengths.
Elliott said: "He never took hold of the bridle at Cheltenham. Even on the morning of the race we were worried. We thought we'd be placed, but we could have pulled up after two fences. It might have been a good thing as he hadn't a hard race.
"He'll go out in the field now and enjoy his holiday. It's all about winning Grade Ones, so that is great."
A switch back to the Flat could be on the agenda for Taglietelle after completing a fine afternoon for Elliott when getting the better of a thrilling finish in the Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Hurdle.
Plenty held chances over the final flight of the extended three-mile Grade Three event, but it was to be the 7-1 shot who prevailed when showing a willing resolve under Paul Carberry to floor favourite Call The Cops by a head.
Elliott said: "I'd say he only just gets the trip, but he was given a great ride by Paul and we're delighted. We were worried about him going up 5lb for the last day, but it's worked out.
"We had a great day at Cheltenham and a great day today. We might get him ready for something at Royal Ascot."
Bargain buy Surf And Turf finally hit the jackpot after a number of placed efforts with a deserved victory in the Betfred Red Rum Handicap Chase.
Picked up by trainer Kevin Frost for just £3,000, the nine-year-old defied a 165-day absence to land the two-mile contest and bring to an end three consecutive second-place finishes.
Settled in mid-division by Brian Hughes, the 33-1 chance moved into contention after the second-last. Hitting the front on the approach to the last Surf And Turf pulled clear up the run in to win going away by a length and a half.
Frost said: "It's a big thrill for such a small yard like ours. We've got six horses and that's our ninth winner. I'm lost for words a little bit.
"He's done us proud this horse. I picked him up cheaply and he was bought as a horse that might win a seller!
"He's done nothing but improve and he's had his winter holiday as he's a quick ground horse.
"He was quite fit for his first run, but I didn't expect him to win like that."
All Yours came with a devastating late run under a power-packed ride from Sam Twiston-Davies to take a surprise victory in the Betfred Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle.
With odds-on favourite Hargam well beaten before two out, the Grade One contest looked set to be fought out by Devilment and Bristol De Mai.
As the pair battled it out up the run-in, the Paul Nicholls-trained 16-1 winner sailed past both of them before posting a three-quarters of a length victory over Devilment.
The win was the first part of a double for Nicholls who later went on to score with Silviniaco Conti in the Betfred Bowl.
Nicholls said: "We've always thought he was decent and I thought I'd made a pig's ear of it by running him at Cheltenham and not coming straight here, as we always thought he wanted a flat track.
"Sam felt he'd have gone close with a clear run in the Fred Winter, but it looks like he is going to be what we hoped he would be.
"He's definitely not a chaser, he's a hurdler. There's no real plan, today was the day but he should be an exciting horse for next season and the future. When he's had a summer's grass he'll improve enormously."
