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Grand National Festival news: Three Stripe Life finally lands Grade 1 glory

Three Stripe Life, under Davy Russell, finally landed a Grade 1 victory after a thumping win in Mersey Novices' Hurdle at the Aintree Grand National Festival.

After three successive runner-up efforts in G1 company, Gordon Elliott's charge revelled in this two-and-a-half-mile contest coming home four and three-quarter lengths ahead of Might I, with North Lodge back in third.

Willie Mullins' superstar Sir Gerhard, who had beaten him both at Leopardstown and Cheltenham on his last two outings, was not a rival this time out and Three Stripe Life took advantage.

Elliott said: "He's deserved that, he's a good horse. We bought him to be a chaser and if you look at him, that's what he'll go and do.
"He's bumped into Sir Gerhard a couple of times, who is a very good horse, and he's done little wrong all year.
"It's nice for him to get his day in the sun and Kenny and Laura Haughey (owners) are here, they are good supporters of ours so it's great.
"He'll definitely go chasing next year. He's in at Punchestown, but he's been busy enough so we'll just see."
Russell added: "These colours are very, very important to me, Kenny Haughey is a huge supporter of our yard. He's been very patient with this horse and we're so happy he's delivered for Kenny."
Of Might I, trainer Harry Fry said: "He went to Sandown and started favourite giving 3lb to Constitution Hill.
"He then ran into Jonbon at Haydock and with a rating of 135 we couldn't get him to Cheltenham.
"I feel I've made a bit of a mess of it winning just one novice with him, but now that he settles he will get further.
"So we will keep him over hurdles and aim at some nice staying prizes including a three mile handicap at Haydock in November."

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