Middleham trainer Ferdy Murphy sent out Granit d'Estruval for a famous victory in the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse yesterday.

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 Murphy's raider as he was racing from 5lb out of the handicap and had been without a win over fences since November 2001.

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.

Fellow British raider Artic Jack raced just behind the leaders for a long way but faded tamely with around a mile to run.

Murphy said: ''He's a horse who has to go right-handed, but unfortunately most of the good staying chases for him are run the other way at places like Uttoxeter and Newcastle.

''So this has been the plan for some time, and it's worked out nicely. He's about two stone better going right-handed.

''Brian thought he got there plenty quick enough but he won well in the end. It's a nice one to win.

''He got a great run down the inner and Brian gave him an absolute peach of a ride.''

The 10-year-old was given a 12-1 quote by William Hill to follow up in the Scottish version at Ayr on Saturday.

But Murphy warned: ''It's very unlikely he'll go to Ayr.

''If he travels home all right and is bucking around during the week maybe we could think about it, but I've got Luzcadou in there and I think he'll probably run.

''We've had a quiet time, but we've put them away and minded them and we've had a winner today at Sedgefield as well, so they're running well, and we've a few nice horses to run for the rest of the season.''

* Arkle Trophy runner-up Kicking King will face seven rivals in a cracking renewal of the Grade One Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse today.

Tom Taaffe's gelding, who found only Well Chief too good at Cheltenham, will be stepping up to two and a half miles for the first time over fences.

''We've had no interruptions or anything (since Cheltenham) and we're very happy with him,'' Taaffe said.

''I'd say he's been waiting for this trip and it should suit him. I just hope he runs as well as he did at Cheltenham.''

The trainer added that he has not completely ruled out the prospect of the six-year-old running again this season.

''He has a couple of entries at Punchestown,'' he said. ''We'll see how he gets on then see what the ground is like at Punchestown.''

His main rival today is likely to be Nil Desperandum. The Frances Crowley-trained seven-year-old is unbeaten in two starts over fences but a setback meant he had to miss the Cheltenham Festival.