Bob Buckler's British raider Niche Market stayed on strongly to land the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
The 33-1 chance crept into contention on the final circuit as Church Island continued to jump with real zest in front.
Young conditional Harry Skelton pushed Niche Market into the lead at the second-last, and though Church Island tried to get back on terms going past the bypassed final fence, Niche Market hung on well to win by two lengths.< A New Story ran on to claim third place, while 8-1 favourite Rare Bob finished fourth.
A crack at the Aintree National next year will be the target for the winner, who was cast in his box and pulled a shoe off yesterday, according to his trainer.< Big Zeb gained a confidence-boosting win back over the smaller obstacles when landing the King Crisps Hurdle.
A faller on his last two starts over fences, Colm Murphy's charge jumped to the lead four out, with Psycho keeping tabs on him.
However, when Barry Geraghty asked the question on the 3-1 winner, he had too much in the tank for Psycho, winning by a length and a quarter.< Coolcashin bloodied the noses of some better-fancied rivals with a gutsy victory in the Grade Three Ladbrokes.com Hurdle.
Taking up the running two out, the 25-1 chance had to pull out all the stops to hold off Essex by a head, with Powerstation a fast-finishing third.< Serpentaria proved a class apart from her rivals when cruising to a two-length win in the Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle.
Settled towards the rear of the field by Ruby Walsh, the 2-9 favourite made smooth headway to join Baily View at the second-last and despite a slight error at the last, she was not hard pressed to go on to score.
Walsh and Mullins completed a double when Taipan's Way (4-1) took the William Fry Novice Handicap Chase, while Walsh's sister Katie got on the scoresheet when guiding Dessie Hughes' Tofino Bay (12-1) to victory in the Gigginstown House Stud Point-To-Point Championship Flat Race.
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