Bluesea Cracker wins National at Fairyhouse

Bluesea Cracker, trained by James Motherway, landed an incident-packed renewal of the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

There were plenty of casualties in the three-mile-five-furlong contest, including favourite Saddlers Storm, leading fancy Telenor and British raider Double Dizzy.

Bluesea Cracker (25-1) was well to the fore as the field rounded the turn for home for the final time.

And although she began to tire on the run-in, Andrew McNamara’s mount had enough in reserve to repel the challenge of Oscar Time by four and a half lengths.

Whatuthink was third, with Cheltenham cross-country winner A New Story fourth.

It was the biggest success in the career of Cork-based Motherway - and the trainer's first over fences this season.

Bluesea Cracker had finished second to Ballytrim on her latest appearance at Naas in March but had won a Grade Two as a novice at Limerick in April last year, the only other time she had been partnered by McNamara.

Ladbrokes and William Hill make the mare 33-1 for next year’s Grand National at Aintree.