Tony Martin's Northern Alliance rewarded favourite-backers with a determined display to claim the Guinness Kerry National, the highlight of the Listowel Festival.
Gallant veteran Church Island made a bold fist of things from the front, but the 4-1 market leader loomed up menacingly at the top of the straight, with stablemate Royal County Star hot on his heels.
Northern Alliance found most after the last to register a one-length win, with Church Island sticking on strongly to thwart a Martin one-two.< Von Jawlensky (5-2) showed his durability by landing the Ladbrokes 1800 777 888 Conditions Race just four days after contesting the St Leger at Doncaster.
The Montjeu colt performed pacemaking duties in the Classic and failed to beat a rival home, but this is more his level and after Seamie Heffernan booted him past Via Galilei on the turn in, he stayed on well to inflict a three-and-a-half-length defeat on Eytarna
Chris Hayes got a good tune out of Toufan Express in the Exchange Inn Ballybunnion & Kevin Brodericks Bar Handicap.
The 10-1 chance came from a position near the rear to strike the front at the furlong pole, and he quickened nicely to beat Slieve Mish by a length.
Paul Townend led his rivals a merry dance on the Willie Mullins-trained Super Sonic Boom (9-2), who proved too strong in the Irish Wire Products EBF Maiden.
However, Mullins' Dual Gales was favourite for the Ballygarry House Hotel Novice Hurdle, but could never land a blow behind Time Electric who was representing the champion NH trainer's brother Tom.
Emmett Mullins was positive from the start on the 7-2 shot and he saw off Berties Dream by three-quarters of a length, while Henry de Bromhead's dual bumper winner Loosen My Load (9-10 favourite) made a successful start to his jumping career in the Intervet/Schering-Plough Maiden Hurdle.
