Accipiter wins Sefton Novices Hurdle

Accipiter, trained by Toby Balding and ridden by Tom Best, has won the Martell Cognac Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree today.

Accipiter outstayed his rivals to give conditional jockey Tom Best his biggest success in the Martell Cognac Sefton Novices' Hurdle.

Toby Balding’s 14-1 chance led two out in the extended three-mile Grade One contest and ran on gamely to hold the renewed challenge of Grey Report, with Champagne Harry third.

Grey Report set off in front at a good gallop tracked by Champagne Harry, with Accipiter restrained at the rear of the field.

Four out, Champagne Harry went on pressed by Patriarch Express, with Accipiter making significant headway on the bit.

Once Accipiter was given his head, the five-year-old quickly went on, but all the time Richard Johnson was conjuring a renewed effort from Grey Report.

Neither horse was particularly fluent at the last but Best had kept a little bit up his sleeve and his mount pulled out enough to land the spoils by three-quarters of a length.

Champagne Harry kept on for third, 13 lengths away.