Granit d'Estruval springs National surprise

Granit d'Estruval, trained by Ferdy Murphy and ridden by Brian Harding, won the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse…

Granit d'Estruval, trained by Ferdy Murphy and ridden by Brian Harding, won the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse today.

Brian Harding's mount, sent off at 33-1, jumped the fifth from home in front and grimly held the challenge of Arthur Moore's Marcus Du Berlais after the last.

Golden Storm finished third, with Moore's Native Jack fourth.

It was a terrific performance from the British raider as he was racing from 5lb out of the handicap and had been without a win over fences since November 2001.

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What Odds took the field along from the off, but he dropped away as Granit d'Estruval took it up, with challengers seemingly queuing up behind him.

Those included Xenophon, but he looked a spent force when crashing out with two to jump.

Golden Storm finished as well as anything but Granit d'Estruval, who looked very tired jumping the last, would not be denied as he prevailed by half a length.

The success was a timely tonic for Murphy after what has not been the most successful of seasons.

More to follow...