Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices' Chase |
 |
|
| Grade 1, Aintree 12:45 £120,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 1m 7f 176y, Class 1  |
||
|
||
1 Mirabad 50/1
2
Salvator Mundi 8/11F
3
Be Aware 10/1
8 ran Distances: 6l, 2l, 1¼l
Time: 3m 54.16s (slow by 5.66s)
👀 50/1
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 11, 2026
Mirabad stuns Salvator Mundi in the Maghull pic.twitter.com/vulgXToIGB
There are races where the market speaks with authority, and others where it is left searching for explanation. This fell firmly into the latter category, as Mirabad, sent off at 50-1, produced a performance that defied both expectation and precedent.
For much of the race, the focus rested on more obvious protagonists. Be Aware, representing Dan Skelton’s principal hope, was prominent throughout, while Willie Mullins’ Salvator Mundi, the odds-on favourite, travelled with the assurance of a horse expected to deliver. As the tempo lifted turning for home, it was the latter who appeared to have matters under control, edging to the front two out having seen off the persistent challenge of Be Aware.
Yet just behind, almost unnoticed in the unfolding narrative, Mirabad was being delivered with patience and precision. Tristan Durrell, composed and unhurried, tracked the leaders, allowing the race to develop before committing. On the long run to the final fence, that patience began to tell. Moving into contention, he produced his mount at exactly the right moment, jumping the last in front before stretching clear to win by six lengths.
It was a result that marked a significant milestone for Durrell, whose progression through the ranks has been one of the more consistent themes of the season.
“It’s unbelievable to win a Grade One, I can’t believe it. I’ve never been close to winning one, my best chance was yesterday (L’Eau Du Sud in the Melling Chase) and I was really disappointed.
“It’s amazing to actually to bag one today. I couldn’t believe how well he was travelling. I knew the race would suit him if they went fast and I knew he’d run well, but it was a question whether he was good enough to win, which he obviously was.
“It’s looking that way (will be champion conditional), I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch, but hopefully we’ll get across the line.
“Coming here and winning a Grade One tops off an amazing season really.”
For Mirabad, the victory represents a striking turnaround. His campaign had begun in disappointing fashion, failing to justify favouritism in the Greatwood Hurdle, a performance that prompted a reassessment of both approach and discipline.
“I got the trip right, I just got the ground, the obstacles and the time of year wrong!
“After he ran the way he did in the Greatwood we said we can’t carry on like that, he’s going to have to go over fences to learn some manners.
“With a bit more experience he’s learning to settle, we’ve ridden him today to do that and he’s got loads of ability obviously.
“It’s great for Tristan. He’s going to be champion conditional this year and he’s a Grade One winner. Harry (Skelton) is getting older and we’ll need a (stable) jockey in five or six years or however long Harry has got left – I’m not retiring him!
“Tristan has just improved and improved. We hoped he’d be that rider for us, every time we send him out he gets a bit better and we’re very proud that he’s a homegrown talent.”
Behind the winner, Salvator Mundi’s defeat was less about effort than execution, his jumping lacking its usual fluency at key moments.
“He just didn’t jump as well as he can today, and I think that probably made the difference.
“He’ll go to Punchestown, of course he will. These horses have pretty light campaigns through the season so that when the spring festivals come around they can really get to work.”
In the end, this was a race that turned on timing and technique as much as ability. Mirabad, delivered with restraint and ridden with confidence, proved that even at the highest level, opportunity still favours those prepared to wait for it.
Maghull Novices' Chase
£120,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 1m 7f 176y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
