Niche Market wins Irish Grand National

Jim Dreaper’s decision not to run top-weighted Notre Pere in the Irish Grand National proved to be almost prescient, as the trainer saved his stable star from running a race that claimed the lives of two racehorses on Monday.

Victory in the race went to 33-1 outsider Niche Market, who was followed home by a pair of 50-1 priced runners in the form of Church Island and A New Story.

While bookies were left celebrating after a race that saw the 8/1 favourite Rare Bob finish fourth, the owners of Wichita Lineman and Drumconvis were left mourning after their horses were killed at the 1st and 12th fence respectively.

The death of the two runners added a sombre tone to the day, however, 29 year old conditional jockey, Harry Skelton, was left celebrating his first big race win.

“I followed Ruby  for the first circuit because I figured he’d go the right places and my horse jumped from fence to fence,” Skelton told the Irish Times. “It’s been an unbelievable season for me and having my Dad here makes it a great day.”