text: Tony McCoy gave a bumper crowd what they were hoping for as he steered Jezki to a thumping victory in the Grade One Aintree Hurdle. Having been out of luck with his opening three rides – the closest he got was third place in the Betfred Bowl on Holywell – McCoy broke his duck on the Jessica Harrington-trained gelding. His task was made a little more straightforward than it might have been, as Arctic Fire – the favourite, ridden by Ruby Walsh – took a crashing fall at the final flight when poised to challenge Jezki. AP McCoy claimed victory in the Aintree Hurdles as he rode Jezki (right) to victory after Ruby Walsh, riding Arctic Fire (left, downed), fell at the final hurdle at this year's Grand National Festival on Thursday afternoon . McCoy was eventually was able to coast to the finish with a wide margin of victory after the fall . Ominously, screens were erected around Arctic Fire, who had finished runner-up on his last in the Champion Hurdle, but, thankfully, both horse and jockey got to their feet and, upon hearing that news, McCoy was able to savour the latest big victory of his glittering career. Jezki has been a model of consistency this winter and the retiring champion feels the gelding deserved this moment in the sun, as he beat Rock On Ruby by 13 lengths. ‘I was glad to see Ruby and Arctic Fire get up,’ said McCoy, who has been besieged by autograph hunters and well-wishers all afternoon. ‘I knew it was going to be a hard race and at the second last, I thought he might have me beat but 50 yards from the last hurdle, I was sticking in there. ‘My horse is bred to stay and he won over two-and-a-half miles at Fairyhouse. Whether he could have won had Arctic Fire stood up, I don’t know. But it would have been close.’ Arctic Fire takes a tumble at the final hurdle to allow Jezki to take the lead and take the win at Aintree . Walsh and his horse escaped without serious injury, although the Irishman pulled out of his last ride . McCoy, who will ride hot favourite Shutthefrontdoor in the Crabbie’s Grand National on Saturday, said: ‘I’m just trying to keep things as normal as possible and do my job. I can leave the worrying until after I walk out of here on Saturday night. ‘I would love to win the Grand National but I don’t want it to be my final ride. I really don’t want to retire but if I win the race, I will do retirement after that. Aintree is a great place and a meeting that I have always enjoyed.’ Of his other mounts, McCoy said: ‘Hargam (well beaten in the 4-Y-O Hurdle) was disappointing but Holywell ran well.’ The soon-to-retire 40-year-old from County Antrim has promised to call it quits if he wins the Grand National .
target: AP McCoy claimed his first win of this year's Grand National on Thursday .
  His ride, Jezki, won after Ruby Walsh's Arctic Fire fell at final hurdle .
  Both Walsh and Arctic Fire escaped without serious injury from the fall .
  It is  second time in month that Walsh has fallen after Annie Power tumble .