Paul Townend finally gained Grade One recognition in Britain with a wonderfully timed challenge on Boston Bob in the Melling Chase.

Although he has multiple big-race wins to his name in Ireland, where he was champion jockey in the 2010-11 season through the many rides he received from the Willie Mullins stable, Townend has only struck once at the Cheltenham Festival and this was his first Aintree success.

With Walsh out injured after a fall at the Festival, the ride on Graham Wylie's slightly frustrating Boston Bob became available and he sneaked the 5-1 shot up the rail from last to first, but it was only in the final 50 yards that he drew three and a quarter lengths clear of Rolling Aces.

This was certainly not the best renewal of the famous intermediate-distance showpiece, which had entered Mullins' mind with Boston Bob having started the season regaining confidence over hurdles before a more promising sixth in the Ryanair Chase.

Townend said: "I'm fortunate and Ruby's unfortunate, but it's really good to ride a big winner here for Willie. I didn't want to put him on his head early on, so I let him work his way into it and find his rhythm. He seems to have sorted himself out now, and he deserved that."

Mullins added: "I was happier that he ran better than his finishing position at Cheltenham, so I thought I'd enter him in the two races here. Even though two and a half was not his trip, I thought it was a much easier race.

"We've plenty of time to go on to Punchestown. His owner might have two runners in the Gold Cup at Punchestown - (Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up) On His Own and this fella."

Owner Wylie said: "After the Ryanair Chase, Ruby got off him and said he really enjoyed it, so we thought we'd bring him here. We thought the distance might be a bit too hot for him as he's a three-mile horse really, but what a brilliant ride by Paul.

"We started him over hurdles to get his confidence back and then Willie decided he wasn't going to go for the World Hurdle after his run in the Cleeve."