William Hill Grand National Trial: Lord Du Mesnil brave winner

The 8/1 chance was Matt Brocklebank's Ante-Post Angle section for the Randox Health Grand National and was there to be a shot at all the way down the straight.

The final challenge proved to be the sternest as Achille (11/1) came with a sustained charge.

However Richard Hobson's charge was in no mood to be denied, fending off his rival and holding on by half-a-length.

The Two Amigos (13/2) and Ramses De Teillee (8/1) filled the minor placings.

Betfair and Paddy Power halved the winner in price to 25/1 for the Aintree showpiece. Sky Bet were more impressed and offer 20/1 from 33s.

Sky Bet Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners said: "Lord Du Mesnil has always been talked of as a Grand National type and that performance certainly makes him a player in April. His running style should suit Aintree and he goes there with a real chance."

“That was a great performance today to carry 2lb more than last year, I’m chuffed to bits,” said Hobson. “That’s the first time he’s had his ground this year – at Chepstow the ground had been covered for 10 days and was almost good to soft.

“When he gets in that rhythm he’s a hard horse to pass, his jumping is always great on the whole and Paul gave him a lovely ride.

“If it could just be soft for us, over four-miles-two that would be enough, but obviously anything quicker and it’s not going to be his race. I’ve always said the ground is the key to him.

“He’s got an entry in the Ultima (at Cheltenham), but I think we’ll avoid that and keep him fresh for the Grand National. He’s got a beautiful weight and we know he stays well. It’s not every year you have a Grand National horse.”

Hobson – for whom it was a poignant victory, as his father, Russell, a former trainer, died just two weeks ago – added: “Paul knows him inside out, it just hasn’t been his year up to now, the Sefton was too short and at Chepstow it wasn’t soft enough. He has overheated in the past, but he didn’t today. Paul got off as a precaution.”