DOOM BAR AINTREE HURDLE (GRADE 1)

THE result that many had hoped for duly came to pass when Jessica Harrington’s Jezki and A.P. McCoy won the Grade 1 Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle as the Crabbie’s Grand National meeting opened on Thursday.

Jezki won easily but only after 15/8 favourite Arctic Fire and Ruby Walsh, arguably going just the better, had crashed out at the last. The screens were out very quickly but, to a huge roar of relief, Arctic Fire picked himself up and walked away gingerly.

In a fascinating contest, Volnay De Thaix and Rock On Ruby made it a searching gallop to test Arctic Fire’s stamina over two and a half miles. Walsh played a waiting game on him with Jezki last of all, but the pair closed up quickly soon after turning for home.

Jezki has a slight tendency to edge left and McCoy sensibly moved him towards the far rails as Arctic Fire loomed up. The latter had still to be asked a serious question and it would almost certainly have been very close but Arctic Fire was awkward at the last and knuckled over, giving his partner no chance. Walsh remained with him until all was well.

Left clear, Jezki (3/1) passed the post 13 lengths ahead of another former champion, Rock On Ruby, whose slim chance vanished when Arctic Fire fell in front of him.

“I thought I might as well stay at the back and let Ruby ride his race and see how things worked out,’’ the champion jockey said. “I thought we’d stay all right but that’s not to say Arctic Fire wouldn’t have. Liverpool is a great place and it’s great for the team. I’ll miss riding horses like this.’’