Willie Mullins domination may have been at the forefront of many minds coming into the first day of the Festival, but local hero Chianti Classico upset the Irish party in the Ultima Handicap Chase for Cheltenham-based trainer Kim Bailey.

Welsh Grand National winner Iwilldoit is in a race against time to be fit to defend his crown over the Christmas period.

Emma Lavelle expects De Rasher Counter will relish the Randox Grand National challenge when he tackles the Aintree feature on Saturday.

Welsh Grand National winner Iwilldoit, who provided Sam Thomas with the biggest win of his burgeoning training career, is unlikely to run again this season.

Goshen can get his career back on track in the Virgin Bet Contenders Hurdle at Sandown.