Racing:Ruby Walsh won his fourth Guinness Kerry National in six years on Tony Martin's Northern Alliance at Listowel this afternoon.
Walsh gave the eight-year-old a perfect ride, settling him just behind the leading quartet for the first two miles.
Michael Hourigan's Church Island dictated and attempted to pull clear on the final circuit but Northern Alliance and the other Martin runner, Royal County Star, were stalking the leader with menace.
It looked as if the stablemates would battle it out as they came to the final flight the strongest, but Royal County Star stumbled slightly on landing allowing Northern Alliance to forge clear. Church Island showed plenty of spirit to battle on into second, a length behind the winner.
Martin said: "I'm thrilled for the lads in the syndicate as they have been with me for years, and I'm also really happy for the third (Royal County Star) as he's run a cracker.
"Ruby always seemed to be happy, and things worked out well.
"He'll probably be handicapped out of it now, and we may give him a break before looking at some conditions races."