Trainer Gordon Elliott racked up his 50th Grade One win as Jack Kennedy gave Felix Desjy an excellent front-running ride in the Betway Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.

The six-year-old survived a bad mid-race blunder to make all the running having finished fifth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Itchy Feet was two places in front of him last month, but he never looked happy here and it was to his credit that he stuck on gamely to claim fourth behind the 7-2 winner.

It was left to Aramon and Ruby Walsh to make ground from the rear and while the 3-1 favourite was the only runner to threaten after the last, he could only get within a length and a half.

Elliott said: "We thought he'd like the track here today, and Jack was good and brave and let him stride along, and if he'd got beaten for doing that, he wouldn't have been getting the blame. Maybe he got a bit of a freebie, but that's the name of the game. Jack used his initiative and that's why we use these lads.

"I thought we might be in trouble after he made that mistake, but in fairness to the horse, in the last 50, 100 yards you couldn't fault him - he picked up and went on.

"I thought when he won his maiden hurdle he was good, and maybe it's hindsight but I'd say we were riding him wrong [when he was beaten since].

"Chasing is going to be his game, but this was a great run. Jack knows the horse at home - too many instructions would only complicate it."

Elliott and Kennedy were completing a quickfire double after Three Musketeers took the opener, which put Kennedy to the top of the Aintree jockeys' table.

The Kerryman has Dounikos to look forward to in Saturday's Randox Health Grand National, plus disappointing Champion Hurdle favourite Apple's Jade in the Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle.

Kennedy said: "Daryl Jacob (Rouge Vif) wanted to be forward too, but I let my lad rock and roll down to the first and Daryl was happy to leave me off. It worked out well.

"He missed the kick in Cheltenham and actually ran a blinder there. I think the sharper track today played into his hands."

"He's always had plenty of ability but we've been waiting for things to fall right for him. You probably won't see the best of him until he jumps a fence."

Robbie Power piloted Lostintranslation to victory

Lostintranslation ran out a very easy winner of the Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree.

Having been campaigned at two and a half miles this season and taking part in a thrilling trilogy with Defi Du Seuil, he just looked short of speed against that rival and was trying three miles on this occasion.

Adapting waiting tactics, Robbie Power was happy to let Top Ville Ben make the running and with RSA winner Topofthegame one of the first under pressure, it soon became clear Lostintranslation just had the leader to beat.

When he got in tight to the second-last, Top Ville Ben went a couple of lengths clear again, but Lostintraslation (3-1) quickened impressively and after jumping the last well he sauntered to victory.

It was to Topofthegame's credit that he stayed on for second, albeit beaten six lengths.

The Colin Tizzard-trained winner was given a 10-1 quote for next season's King George VI Chase by Betfair.