Grand National 2022: Gentleman De Mee beats Edwardstone at Aintree

Gentleman De Mee (7-2) turned over 4-7 favourite Edwardstone to land the Grade One Poundland Maghull Novices’ Chase on Randox Grand National day at Aintree Racecourse.

Willie Mullins' six-year-old had bypassed last month's at last month’s Cheltenham Festival where the Alan King-trained Edwardstone landed a fifth straight victory when impressively landing the Grade Sporting Life Arkle Trophy Challenge Novices’ Chase. Irish champion trainer Mullins admitted he hoped that race had taken something out of the favourite. It appeared he was right as Gentleman De Mee led from start to finish in the two-mile contest at Aintree.

Edwardstone sat off the pace set by the eventual winner, but when he came to challenge him three fences from home, Gentleman De Mee upped the gears to move clear.

Under Mark Walsh he ran out an excellent four-and-a-half length winner with Edwardstone having to settle for second this time.

Mullins said: "I think the Arkle winner, having been to Cheltenham and we didn't, maybe didn't have the freshness we had. I was hoping our freshness might be the right card to play and it looked like that.

"Mark gave him a brilliant ride, he got him out, got him jumping and even gave him a breather when he made a mistake at the fourth-last. Mark felt he was always in charge.

"He's just improved the last six to eight weeks, I think the change of tactics have helped, rather than holding him up and getting beaten like he was early in the season. He's maturing and growing into himself.

"It looks like there's more to come. We'll see about Punchestown, we'll see how he comes out of this. I think he's a Champion Chase horse."

Mullins did initially have ante-post favourite for the Arkle in Ferny Hollow but his season was