Finian's Rainbow followed up his Cheltenham win in the Queen Mum with a fine victory in the Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday.

It was Wishful Thinking who put in a challenge but could not deny the winner, with Alberta's Run 13l behind them in third and Forpaddydeplasterer not that far away in fourth.

The day started off with Darlan winning the Novices' Hurdle Gr 2 from Captain Conan (9/1) with Prospect Wells third.

Silviniaco Conti more or less just had to finish to win the Gr 2 Novices' Chase with the next home 13 lengths away.

The Topham went to Always Waining for the third time, Chance du Roy second and Fistral Beach third.

Fingal Bay lost his unbeaten tag when Lovcen got the better of him by 1 1'4 lengths in the Sefton, with Cotton Mill third. Ballyrock was pulled up.