Quinn the Aintree king

Kings Quay (16-1) gave John Quinn his second win of the three-day Aintree Grand National meeting with victory in the John Smith’s Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle.

Malton trainer Quinn was on the mark with Blythe Knight yesterday and his representative this afternoon was travelling so smoothly in the straight it was a matter of when conditional jockey Dougie Costello pressed the button.

He came to collar long-time leader Sunday City at the last and held off the challenge of Diego Cao by a length.

Dancing Lyra came from the clouds for third, with Sunday City holding on for fourth.

Costello told BBC Sport: ``It's great for the yard to have another winner after the win of Blythe Knight.

“John has been very good to me. I’ve been with him for five years now and the lads in the yard are great.

“It’s a great thrill to ride a winner on Grand National day, but I was supposed to ride Blythe Knight until my agent rang to tell me AP (McCoy) was free. I was sat at home last night counting how much money it had cost me!”

Nick Gifford, trainer of Diego Cao, was not too disappointed with his runner's second place.

He said: “The horse was so well at home and I thought this would be the ideal race for him. He jumps and travels well but there are no excuses – he’s just found one too good on the day. Finishing second here is not that bad.

“He could go to Sandown at the end of the month and the Swinton Hurdle is also an option.”

Trainer Richard Fahey said of the third: "I'm over the moon with that, we were a little disappointed last time as we thought he'd run much better.

“He has form on this beautiful ground. I don’t know what to do now, we can go back to the Flat or keep him hurdling.”