Lion Na Bearnai Fairyhouse Winner

33-1 outsider Lion Na Bearnai gave trainer Tom Gibney his biggest success when winning the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

The ten-year-old was involved in a protracted duel with the strong-travelling Out Now (14-1) but battled on bravely to score under conditional rider Andrew Thornton.

Alfie Sherrin (10-1) fared best of the British raiders in third with Paddy Pub (20-1) fourth.

Gibney said: "I only have the five horses and this is unbelievable, just brilliant.

"The last day was the real shock and we were confident coming here but we were afraid to say it.

"Andrew is a brilliant rider - much under-rated and he gave him a copybook ride, the whole thing was copybook. He is only a pony and anyone could ride him at home."

Thornton added: "That's absolutely unbelievable and full credit to the horse.

"He is tough and he jumped like a stag. He is very gutsy and never put a foot wrong. I was squeezed for room at the fence in front of the stands but otherwise everything went great through the race."

O'Leary Runs Five at Irish National

Roi Du Mee heads a maximum field of 30 runners in the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday 

The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old is one of five runners for Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud.

Ante-post favourite Four Commanders will be ridden by Davy Russell, with Magnanimity, Gift Of Dgab, and Start Me Up the other Gigginstown horses.

Tony McCoy will ride the Christy Roche-trained Groody Hill for JP McManus.

Osana, Catch Me, Aigle D'Or and Alfie Sherrin are the other McManus horses in the field.

Cross Appeal is a major contender for Noel Meade, while Ruby Walsh partners Allee Garde, one of four runners for Willie Mullins.

Ireland's champion trainer will also be represented by Shakervilz, Some Target and Raptor.

Nina Carberry won last year's race on Organisedconfusion , a horse trained by her uncle Arthur Moore.

She again rides a Moore-trained horse, Lastofttheleaders, in Monday's three-mile-five-furlong showpiece.

Last five Irish Grand National winners and riders

2011: Organisedconfusion - Nina Carberry

2010: Bluesea Cracker - Andrew McNamara

2009: Niche Market - Harry Skelton

2008: Hear the Echo - Paddy Flood

2007: Butler's Cabin - Tony McCoy

Fairyhouse Goes Ahead

Saturday's meeting at Fairyhouse will go ahead after passing a second morning inspection - although there are still some concerns about the chase track.

Conditions at the course remained unraceable following an initial inspection at 8am, but temperatures have risen sufficiently for the four hurdle races and the bumper to be given the green light.

The two races due to be run over fences are the final two contests on the card and a decision on whether they will be run will be made during racing.

Irish Turf club press officer Cliff Noone said: "The hurdle course is fine, so racing goes ahead.

"The chase track is still giving them cause for concern, but they decided to put the two chases last on the card with this in mind.

"They'll see how temperatures rise during the day and I'd imagine a decision will be made on whether to run the races over fences after the third or fourth race."

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