< Lion Na Bearnai proved his Navan success was no fluke by grinding out a determined victory in the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Even though Tom Gibney's 10-year-old beat Four Commanders and Start Me Up in the Ten Up Novice Chase, he was still allowed to go off a 33/1 chance, a long way behind those rivals in the market.
He appeared booked for minor honours when Out Now loomed up travelling ominously well, but Andrew Thornton threw everything at Lion Na Bearnai, who rallied to get back up by four and a half lengths.< Get Me Out Of Here (7/4) gained a deserved success in the Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle.
Jonjo O'Neill's raider, who filled the runner-up berth for the third consecutive Cheltenham Festival last month, went in pursuit of the front-running Tofino Bay when market rivals Oscars Well and The Real Article cried enough, and Tony McCoy drove him out for a three-and-three-quarter-length success.
McCoy and owner JP McManus completed a double when Alderwood (7/2) bridged the gap to Grade 2 company in the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle.
Benefiting from positive tactics, the Tom Mullins-trained County Hurdle hero had his clear lead eroded by Allure Of Illusion heading to the final flight, but McCoy kept him going and he crossed the line with three and a quarter lengths in hand.
The Tony Martin-trained Dedigout (11/2) carried the Gigginstown House Stud colours into the winner's enclosure for favourite-backers after landing the Irish Field Handicap Hurdle, and the leading owners appeared to have followed up in the Racing Post Champion Point-To-Point INH Flat Race.< Balnaslow and Rogue Angel went toe to toe in the closing stages, and it was the Gigginstown-owned latter who prevailed narrowly, but the stewards deemed interference had taken place and awarded the big prize to the Willie Mullins-trained Balnaslow (4/1).< Lucky William (5-1 joint-favourite) defied top-weight in the Nina Carberry Novice Handicap Chase, while the ComfyBed Novice Handicap Chase went the way of Caduceus
