ALEXEI SCORES ON RETURN AT AINTREE AS TIZZARD MAPS CHAMPION HURDLE ROUTE

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 Henderson's Lucky Place (9/2) third.

The race, previously known as the Elite Hurdle, was staged on Merseyside after firm, unraceable ground forced the cancellation of Wincanton's Badger Chase Ladies' Day. Aintree took on the feature races from both Wincanton and Exeter at their original prize levels, creating one of the strongest autumn cards seen at the track in some time.

Fighting Fifth first, then Christmas

Tizzard made clear after the race that the winner's campaign will be built around the two-mile hurdling championship. The Grade 1 Fighting Fifth is next on the agenda, followed by the Christmas Hurdle, with a return to Cheltenham for the Champion Hurdle in March the long-term aim.

"We're going to treat him as a Champion Hurdle horse," Tizzard said.

Bookmakers reacted by shortening the winner for the March showpiece. Betway cut him from 16-1 to 11-1, while Paddy Power went 12-1 from 20-1.

Mydaddypaddy waits for rain

The race lost much of its anticipated intrigue when Dan Skelton withdrew Mydaddypaddy on Friday afternoon because of the ground. Skelton has yet to name a new target for the hurdler, though the Ascot Hurdle, the Fighting Fifth and the Christmas Hurdle have all been mentioned as possible options.

"We just need rain," the trainer said, summing up the frustration felt by many yards at the start of a dry autumn.