Irish National: Bob Buckler's Niche Market produced a huge shock to win the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse this afternoon. One of only three raiders to travel over from England, he was ridden with great confidence by Harry Skelton, son of internationally renowned show jumper Nick Skelton.
Church Island, who had led for most of the race, was still in front turning for home but a massive leap at the second-last saw 33-1 chance Niche Market take the lead.
The final fence had to be bypassed because of a casualty on the first circuit but Skelton managed to galvanise his mount and held off the rallying Church Island (50-1) by two lengths.
A New Story (50-1) was third with 8-1 favourite Rare Bob fourth.
Buckler said: "He's a lovely horse, he's an absolute star. He got cast in his box and pulled off a shoe yesterday in the stable yard, so that was a minor panic to say the least.
"He was fourth in the four-miler at Cheltenham last year but in this year's race he got bumped and got no run. He's a brilliant jumper when he gets light at his fences and we'll look at Aintree with him next year."
Skelton, 19, said: "It's probably the greatest achievement of my life so far. When he won at Ascot earlier in the season that was good but this puts it in the shade.
"There was a bit of grief early in the race but luckily I was always in the front half and I followed Ruby (Walsh) for the first circuit because I thought he'd be in the right place.
"He jumped from fence to fence and stayed on really well up the hill. He had everything to suit today. My dad is here to enjoy it so it's absolutely unbelievable."
Unfortunately the race was marred by the fatal falls of Wichita Lineman, the mount of Tony McCoy, and Tony Martin's Drumconvis.
Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh got Irish Grand National day off to a dream start with the victory of Serpentaria in the Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle. Sent off the 2-9 favourite, Walsh settled the mare in the rear but stealthily made headway once the runners turned into the straight.
Baily Breeze made a bid up the rail but Walsh had that move covered and hit the front two out. A bungled leap at the final flight reduced the winning margin but she still had two lengths to spare at the line.
Mullins said: “She will now go for the mares race at Punchestown. We’ll put her back on the Flat after that and target some of the bigger handicaps during the summer.
“She hasn’t had a hard season - she’s very versatile and she stays.”
Fairyhouse results
2.10 Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle
1st Serpentaria 2/9F
2nd Baily View 9/1
3rd Well Run 9/1
4th Mattock Ranger 16/1
2.40 King Crisps Hurdle
1st Big Zeb 3/1
2nd Psycho 13/8F
3rd Dancing Tornado 4/1
4th Indian Spring 12/1
3.10 Ladbrokes.com Hurdle
1st Coolcashin 25/1
2nd Essex 10/1
3rd Powerstation 5/2F
4th Nicanor 13/2
3.55 Powers Irish Grand National Chase
1st Niche Market 33-1
2nd Church Island 50-1
3rd A New Story 50-1
4th Rare Bob 8-1F
4.30 Gigginstown House Stud Flat Race
1st Tofino Bay 12/1
2nd Ad Idem 25/1
3rd Pay The Bounty 5/1
4th Aughnacurraveel
5.05 William Fry Novice Handicap Steeplechase
1st Taipan's Way 4/1F
2nd Rock Street 12/1
3rd Fantoche 10/1
4th Major Sensation 5/1
5.40 Avon Ri Stanley Macadam Nov Handicap Steeplechase
1st Lochan Lacha 7/2JF
2nd 12L Stewarts House 7/2JF
3rd 3L Dontwakedtrainer 25/1
4th 4L Dulgodti Bob 10/1
6.10 www.thetote.com Hunters Steeplechase
1st Rudi Trucker 7/2
2nd Freneys Well 5/2F
3rd Royal Blood 10/1
4th Loup Charter 25/1