Alexei advanced his Champion Hurdle claims with a four-length victory on his seasonal return in Saturday's Grade 2 William Hill Molyneux Hurdle at Aintree, and the Joe Tizzard-trained hurdler is now set for the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle at the end of the month. Partnered by Harry Cobden, who deputised for the injured Brendan Powell, Alexei went off the 4/7 favourite in a field reduced to four runners. Gordon Elliott's Mange Tout (4/1) chased him home in second, with Nicky H