Racing Report from Aintree: The BBC pundits, Peter Scudamore and Richard Pitman, have the job of picking the outstanding ride at the 2004 Liverpool festival, but Timmy Murphy filed an early contender with a superb success on the Irish raider Al Eile yesterday.

For much of the race Made In Japan looked set to become just the second Triumph Hurdle winner to follow up at Aintree in 27 years, but Richard Johnson hadn't reckoned on being burgled by his colleague.

Despite coming on and off the bridle, Al Eile arrived with a chance on the turn in, and considering his 25 to 1 starting price, and a poor effort in the Triumph, Murphy could have been forgiven for thinking his job was done.

But the jockey was having none of that. Made In Japan was making his way home, but Al Eile's mind was suddenly focused on the chase as Murphy dramatically switched him to the rails between the last two flights.

Suddenly, Johnson had a challenger on his inner and, try as Made In Japan did, he couldn't stop Al Eile securing the first Irish winner of the meeting.

"He's a funny old character. You can't go for everything too soon or he'll spit the dummy out!" quipped Murphy. "Doing something different like switching him makes a difference because he gets sick of doing the same thing all the time."

The result was vindication for Waterford trainer John Queally, who wanted to give Al Eile another chance after his Cheltenham disappointment.

"When I saw Best Mate getting so close to being beaten at the festival I thought I'd give my horse the benefit of the doubt because of the ground," he said.

If Murphy's performance had the professionals purring, there was no question about the feel-good story of the day as Carrie Ford guided Forest Gunner to success in the Foxhunters over the big National fences.

It's just over 10 weeks since she gave birth to her daughter, Hannah, and Ford also had to overcome some reservations from her husband, Richard, who trains the winner, before the race.

"I hoped she'd pack in race-riding but she has worked so hard on her fitness," he said.

The coolest person afterwards seemed to be the jockey, who said: "We made a mistake at the second and that helped, because he didn't run as free afterwards."

However, asked what was easier, riding the National course or giving birth, the reply was a quick: "Jumping these is much easier!"

Iris's Gift managed to complete the Cheltenham-Liverpool double as he added the first race to his success in the Stayers' Hurdle with a gutsy defeat of the novice Royal Rosa.

Barry Geraghty overcame a lack of early pace to guide the Jonjo O'Neill horse to victory, and the trainer confirmed Iris's Gift will go chasing next season.

"He jumps, gallops, doesn't care about the conditions and is just a very, very good horse," O'Neill said.

"The more you battle him the more he loves it."

Coral go 8 to 1 Iris's Gift for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next March.

Tiutchev proved his versatility yet again with a victory in the Martell Cup, proving three-and-a-half lengths too good for the favourite, First Gold.

"I'm delighted for the horse. If they all jumped, travelled and tried like him you could ride until you were 100," said Tony McCoy, who was securing winner number 194 of the season.

"He's been second in a King George, second to Beef Or Salmon in Ireland and he ran a great race at Cheltenham. He's a real superstar," McCoy added.

Tom Doyle had similar feelings for Tidour after the Cheltenham faller bounced back in style to win the Red Rum Handicap Chase.