Rogue Angel rallies late on to take Kerry National in Listowel

Rogue Angel staged a late rally to snatch the spoils in the Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase at Listowel.

The Mouse Morris-trained seven-year-old had made most of the running but seemed destined for a place at best when Urano shot to the front between the last two fences.

However, Ger Fox asked for one final effort from his willing mount and Rogue Angel (8-1) responded valiantly to collar Willie Mullins’s charge by a short head.

Morris was also responsible for third home Rule The World with Mullins’s The Paparrazi Kid fourth.

It proved a wise decision by Morris to run Rogue Angel again quickly after finishing second on Sunday.

Morris said: “I honestly didn’t know (if he had won the photo-finish) but I presumed I was second!

“Ger gave him a great ride and he jumped well today.

“He must have needed that bit of work on Sunday! He has always promised to win a big race but I wasn’t quite expecting it today.

“The horse carried him (Ger Fox) the whole way today, but I thought Paul Townend’s horse (Urano) was doing hand-stands and galloping all over them turning in but my horse stays all day.”

Fox said: “To win the Kerry National is unbelievable. It’s great for Mouse and for Gigginstown. It’s brilliant for my career. It was just great to get a ride in the race.

“He ran a blinder the last day against Kylecrue and that was only over two and a half.

“He wants further and loves this type of ground. In fairness, he put his head down.

“I jumped him out smart and when he had his head in front he loved it. I was able to get breathers in and his jumping was brilliant and kept him in it all the way.

“I hung onto him as long as I could. When push came to shove, he had plenty left the more he put his head down.

"I've been with Noel Meade for the past two years and it was Noel that got me going and I've a lot to thank him for. I'm down to 3lb now and now things get harder, but it is great to win a race like this."

Lots Of Memories, who was backed down to 11-2 favouritism, suffered a fatal fall at the 12th fence when he brought down Owega Star.

Classic-placed Devonshire gained a well-deserved victory as she took Listed honours in the Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes.

Third in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, the Willie McCreery-trained filly was always in the perfect position in second under Billy Lee as Queen Of Alba made the running.

From the moment Lee asked Devonshire to go and win her race approaching the home turn over two furlongs out, the race was as good as over and she won for the first time since October.

The 2-1 favourite quickly went clear and galloped on powerfully to score by four and a half lengths from Alive Alive Oh. Queen Of Alba kept on to claim third place.

McCreery said: “She deserved that as she’d finished second twice in Group races and was third in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

“The poor old devil has just been placed, placed, placed and I’m delighted to see her get her head in front.

“She’s very honest, had run well early in the year on soft ground and will now step back to Group Three company. Bill (Lee) said she might get a mile and two.

“Things just didn’t work out the last day and today Bill had to go to the front (as early as he did) because she was tanking with him.

“She’s worth a lot more now. I hope she’ll come back next year.”