It was back-to-back victories for Ireland in the opening two Grade One contests of the Randox Grand National Festival when Koktail Divin (3-1) came home two and a quarter lengths to the good Blueking D’Oroux (22-1).

The 1-2 Favourite Lulamba unseated Nico de Boinville at the 10th fence in the two and a half mile contest.

Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said: “It’s a great start to the meeting for us, I am delighted. Darragh was brilliant on him. I thought they went a real good gallop and our lad jumps amazing. I’m delighted for the Moloneys, who are great supporters of ours. It’s so good to get one here.

“I started to get a bit worried for a second (when the second came back at him) but it looks as if he was idling and he picked up again. It was relentless the whole way and they were all jumping so well. I’m delighted for everyone and it’s great for the horse.”

Successful jockey Darragh O’Keeffe: “We always felt he was up to Grade One standard, and it just took us a couple of runs to figure him out. He was very impressive at Leopardstown, we gave the Grade One at Cheltenham a go and we learned plenty about him that day. I think it was huge credit to the horse to come back today after having a grueler in the Brown Advisory. It was a good performance, and his jumping was superb again today.

“I jumped out nice and handy away and I said, wherever I am, I’m just going to get into a rhythm. I couldn’t really hear a whole lot going round, but I could just hear the commentators saying - there was gasp or something - and I knew Lulumba was disappearing from my inside. He was following Harry, so I just kept my horse in a rhythm.

“He was a bit idle even when he jumped the second last, which showed he’s still a bit raw. As soon as he heard the other horse coming to him again, I could feel him picking up. I’m delighted to get a Grade One winner here at Aintree - it’s a special meeting and it’s great for the owners, the Maloneys, and I’m very grateful to everyone.”

Paul Nicholls, trainer of runner-up Blueking d’Oroux, said: “Unbelievable run, considering he made a crucial mistake three out. He’s getting better now he’s jumping better, he’s getting more assured, and I think the step up to three miles will suit him. He’s improving. I would have thought that is it for the season - I’ll talk to the owner, but he’s probably done enough. Next season I think he’ll improve again, for a bit of time.”

Harry Cobden, rider of Blueking d’Oroux, said: “That was a lovely run. He was the outsider of the whole field. He was very long three out, but I don’t think it cost us as the winne has won with a bit in hand.”

Ben Pauling, trainer of the third Mambonumberfive, said: “I was delighted with that. I wanted to see him jump and travel and so that’s why we were more positive. He jumped and travelled, and two out I thought we’d win. Ben has come back and said ‘look, he’s a five-year-old and he needs another summer on his back, and then he’ll be a very nice horse.’ We wanted to go two and a half miles all season, and we stand by that decision.”