CHICORIA rallied to edge Champagne Present in a thrilling finish to the EBF Stallions “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

Tony McCoy had ridden a patient race on the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Champagne Present, who raced keenly towards the rear for much of the contest as Mr Burgess cut out the running.

From the third-last McCoy made ominous progress, eventually getting to the front almost on the bridle, but Jake Greenall never gave up on the winner, who challenged on Champagne Present’s outside.

As McCoy got serious it was tight all the way to the line, with Henry Daly’s Chicoria (33-1) announced the winner by a nose in the colours of Trevor Hemmings.

Daly revealed the horse only just got to the racecourse in time after his box broke down.

He said: “Our box is parked at Chester services and he only got here with a few minutes to spare.

“I rang Dave Sherlock, who’s a transporter in Cheshire, and he went to pick up the horse and got him here just in time.

“You can get funny results. He’s always been all right at home, but this was a nice surprise.”

There was a shock as Donald McCain’s Starchitect (7- 2) overturned the 4-9 hotpot Unanimite in the Molson Coors Juvenile Hurdle.

Unanimite set out to make all but his tendency to lug out to the left cost him and he was wore down on the long run from the final flight as Jason Maguire’s mount got the verdict by two lengths.

Starchitect, a 110,000 guineas purchase out of Eddie Lynam’s stable at Tattersalls July Sales, had made a winning hurdles debut at Bangor earlier this month but the son of Sea The Stars had not really impressed.

“We think he’ll be better with a stronger pace, but he jumped today like he schooled at home,” said Mc- Cain.

“He’s got plenty of ability and I think the better the race, the better he’ll perform.

“He’s gone to pick them up then he’s just gone through the motions. He’s done it well and Jason didn’t want to be in front too long, anyway.

“It’s still early days and there’ll be better races. We didn’t learn a lot at Bangor.”

Baileys Concerto (100-30) won for the sixth time for the Dianne Sayer stable as he bagged a four-timer in the Rewards4racing Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old is clearly in the form of his life and appears equally at home over fences as over hurdles.

Jumping superbly for Brian Hughes, he swept aside the 15-8 favourite Distime from the last to score by four and a half lengths.

Penrith-based Sayer said: “We don’t have winners at Aintree! He’s been a fabulous horse and has just come on and on.

“We haven’t really got a future plan for him, we’ll just take it one step at a time. This was a big step up for him.”

Meanwhile, The Middleham Park Racing team are eyeing Group One glory for Crafty Choice following the youngster’s ready victory at Newmarket.

A son of Intikhab, he did not make his debut until mid-July, but has appeared intent on making up for lost time, winning at Brighton, Newmarket and Nottingham before completing his four-timer on his return to Headquarters.

Richard Hannon’s juvenile could now test the water at the highest level in France next month and connections are already dreaming of a potential tilt at next year’s Epsom Derby.

Middleham Park’s racing manager, Tim Palin, said: “Richard said he won pretty easily the other day and the Zetland traditionally turns up a decent horse, without being a world beater.

“He’s entered in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud on November 8, which is a mile and a quarter on what will hopefully be soft ground. We know he absolutely loves testing conditions and he stays all day, so we’ll probably give it a shot.”