Henderson and McGrath win Aintree opener

Rather Be atoned for his early departure at the Cheltenham Festival with a battling success in the Alder Hey Children's Charity Handicap Hurdle at Aintree.

After unseating at the second in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, the six-year-old put in a near foot-perfect round of jumping before clinching a slender success.

Kept just behind the early pace, which was cut out for much of the way by Dashing Oscar the Jeremiah McGrath-ridden 10-1 shot travelled smoothly into contention to mount his challenge after the second-last.

As Clondaw Kaempfer made a mistake, it left the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding to fight out the finish with the well-supported Dream Berry

Holding enough in reserve, Rather Be pulled out more when it mattered most to keep Jonjo O'Neill's 8-1 joint-favourite at bay by half a length.

Henderson said; "He deserved that as he was brought down early at Cheltenham when I couldn't split him and Thomas Campbell

"It was the same this time as they've finished first and fourth.

"It's great for Matt (Morgan, owner) after what happened at Cheltenham. Some might see what happened there as a blessing but it was annoying at the time, I can tell you."

McGrath said: "I was a broken man leaving here on Thursday after finishing a close second in the Red Rum (on Theinval), but thankfully I kept my head up and it worked out.

"I got a dream run round. He jumped and travelled but you must remember he's still a novice and there were times down the back it got very tight and I just had to trust him.

"Early on in life he was very quirky but you don't mind when they have a big race in them like this."

JP McManus owns both the second Dream Berry and third Geordie Des Champs and his racing manager Frank Berry said: "Both horses have run well.

"Dream Berry looked like he came to win his race but the other horse just outstayed him.

"Geordie Des Champs has just appreciated a bit of good ground. He's run a cracker. He just got a bit outpaced but came home very well.

"We'll see what comes up for both of them, but there is Sandown or Punchestown. We'll see, but we were delighted with both of them today."