Ruby Walsh took the Guinness Kerry National for the fourth time but it was a first for trainer Tony Martin as Northern Alliance justified 4/1 favouritism following a pulsating renewal of the Listowel Festival highlight.

New York publican Aidan Shields made the trip across the Atlantic to see the Irish Rover Syndicate-owned gelding edge out the long-time leader Church Island by a length, with the winners' stablemate Royal County Star holding every chance just a neck away in third.

“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,” said a relieved Martin afterwards.

He added, “He'll probably be handicapped out of it now, and we may give him a break before looking at some conditions races.”