Supreme effort enough

Mac's Supreme completed a fairytale comeback from death's door to give a Guinness Kerry National success to the Grand National specialist Ferdy Murphy.

It was a third big National victory this year for Wexford-born Murphy, who also bagged Uttoxeter's Midland National with Ackzo and the Scottish version with Paris Pike. But neither of those horses have had more odds to overcome than Mac's Supreme.

The eight-year-old suffered a severe tendon injury in his first start over hurdles and Murphy was advised the horse would never race again. However, Murphy and Co Meath owner Brendan McEntaggart decided to bring Mac's Supreme home to Dunshaughlin and have him treated by local vet Ned Gowing.

"Without Ned and the owner's patience he would never have raced again and most people would have put him down. He did a nasty job on his tendon but Ned and a couple of years in a field did the trick," said Murphy.

There was no hint of a hindrance yesterday as Timmy Murphy, having his first ride for Murphy, took the initiative on Mac's Supreme from the third last and always had too much in the tank for the runner-up River Cora.

Murphy's experience of the race is extensive even if also painful.

"I rode Artistic Prince for Billy Boyers in the race about 20 years ago and had a bad fall at the very first fence. The horse never raised a leg!" Murphy remembered.

Brown Paddy graduated from the reserves for the maiden hurdle and took advantage of it to win under Jason Titley. Trainer Michael Hourigan, who later added the bumper with Mr Red Banner, said the horse is set to make a quick reappearance in the beginners' chase today.

Euphoric scuppered a lot of jackpot hopes with a 10 to 1 victory in the mile handicap and Hot Stuff just got the better of Vanilla Man in the conditions hurdle, with the unlucky Bregogue in third.

Top jockey Paul Carberry faces at least a week on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments in a nasty fall at Listowel yesterday. Carberry's mount Super Franky fell at the second last in the Kerry National and the rider was stood down by the Turf Club doctor.

One punter had a much happier time, bagging the £25,669 jackpot dividend on his own and the betting figures in total were up. The Tote reached £358,919 and the bookies turnover was £1,194,797 compared to £1,137,789 last year.