Grand National meeting winner for Athlone jockey

Athlone jockey Kielan Woods enjoyed a winner at the famous Aintree festival last evening, when he partnered Diva Luna to victory in the Grade 2 Mares Bumper at the Liverpool track.

Yesterday's (Thursday) meeting was the opening day of a three-day meeting, with the showpiece being the Randox Grand National on Saturday.

Diva Luna, trained by Ben Pauling, won the Nickel Coin Mares' National Hunt Flat Race, the closing race on Thursday's card, having led virtually all the way.

The five-year-old prevailed in fine style by 3 and a half lengths and afterwards Kielan Woods told Racing TV, said the win was "absolutely unbelievable".

"She was so professional today," he said.

WATCH THE CLOSING STAGES OF THE RACE HERE

Woods has faced some significant challenges this season, with both a high-profile ban for breaching whip rules and also being pipped right on the line at Cheltenham aboard The Jukebox Man in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle.

"It's been a tough year for me through nobody's fault but my own," he said.

He has further rides today at Aintree, but will not be involved in the Grand National card on Saturday.