The fourth Grade One contest on Ladies Day, the Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle over three miles, went the way of the Joseph O’Brien-trained Zeus Power (3-1).

The five-year-old scored by two and three-quarter lengths from 33-1 outsider Catchintsavo.

JJ Slevin, the winning rider, said: “He just towed me the whole way. We dropped him right in at Cheltenham and he relaxed better but in the box seat here he just towed me and I was a bit worried about that. He’s a fair horse I’d say.

“He stayed every yard and he’s only five-year-old. That’s brilliant. Joseph has got him here in tip-top form and they are great people who own him, the Powers. They’ll get a great kick out of this. They bred him too and the lads had the stallion, Protectionist, who won the Melbourne Cup. It’s great for them all to win a race.”

Michael Power, joint-owner and breeder of the winner, added: “The horse is by Protectionist; I have brothers in Australia who are involved in Protectionist. He’s passed away but we have a few by him about and this is one of the better ones, I think.

“We were at Cheltenham last month and had an outside chance, and he came third at 50/1. So we said we’d come here and try him over a longer distance, and we got it right. Well, it’s all done to Joseph [O’Brien] and his team, and JJ Slevin, obviously. My brother Walter in Australia should have been here today, but he couldn’t make it. He’s the main man behind Power Thoroughbreds - I’m just the Irish representative! We’re breeders from Wexford.

“We are so excited to be here - it’s our first ever runner here. The horse gave us a wonderful time at Cheltenham as well. We don’t know what to say - we’re delighted.”

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of runner-up Catchintsavo, said: “He’s such a class horse and we thought his best chance was in this three-miler.

“He’s got a bit of speed but we thought he’d be able to travel a bit more comfy here. When he turned in I dared to dream that we might win our first Grade 1, but he’s run a blinder.

“I think next season he’ll be a chaser and I’d be sure he’ll be coming back here for the three-mile novice. He’s already schooling over fences and he’s a really accurate jumper. He’s got scope as well so maybe that’s where he’ll get his Grade 1.”

Jamie Snowden, trainer of third-placed Johnny’s Jury, said: “He’s finished third in a Grade 1 so it was a mighty effort. The track was probably a bit sharp and he’d probably want a bit of softer ground. He got caught in a bit of traffic up the home straight but when he got a clear run he carried on galloping. In another 100yards he’d probably have been second.

“I think we’ll probably go novice chasing next season. He jumps very well and he’s built like a chaser.”