TONY McCoy steered Don Cossack to his fifth victory of a memorable campaign in the Betfred Melling Chase at Aintree, with Colin Tizzard’s Cue Card landing second spot.

With McCoy replacing the suspended Bryan Cooper in the saddle, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding tracked the pacesetting Cue Card for much of the two-and-a-half-mile journey before taking over early in the straight.

The 3-1 joint-favourite was soon away and clear and flew over the final fence to win by a staggering 26 lengths.

Cue Card ran a creditable race to fill the runner-up spot on his first start since Boxing Day, with Johns Spirit third.

Later in the meeting, Thistlecrack claimed Grade One honours for Tizzard and Tom Scudamore in the Doom Bar Sefton Novices' Hurdle.

The seven-year-old was sent off at 25-1 in the extended three-mile contest, stepping up a full mile in distance after finishing fifth in last month's Imperial Cup at Sandown.

Thistlecrack looked to be gaining the upper hand between the final two flights, but Alpha Des Obeaux was still in with a shout when he was asked for a big jump at the last by jockey Richard Johnson and came crashing to the turf.

His exit left Tizzard's charge home for all money and he passed the post 13 lengths clear of Vyta Du Roc, with Our Kaempfer third.

Scudamore said: ''It was great, it's wonderful to ride a winner for the Tizzards. I've ridden a lot of winners for them over the years but it's nice to do it on a nice horse on a big stage."