OJA winners Last Kingdom (10/1) & Blue Lemons (2/1)

Haiti Couleurs became the first British trained winner of the Irish National at Fairyhouse since 2014 when staying on strongly to beat the 13yo Any Second Now, who was filling the runners-up berth for the second consecutive year, by three and a quarter lengths. Racing off a mark of 141, the Dragon Dancer gelding had won the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on his previous start and was raised six pounds. Successful in four of his five races over fences, the eight year old has been superbly handled by Rebecca Curtis and, while the Grand National looks an obvious target next term, it is not beyond the realms of possibility the former Irish pointer will emerge as a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender - don't forget he was entered in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Festival last month.

While Top 40 entry Quai De Bourbon ran well in the third in the Irish National, there were a couple of featured horses in One Jump Ahead who were successful on the same card. Last Kingdom (10/1), who is included in the French Revolution section, made a mockery of his opening mark of 115 in the two miles novices' handicap hurdle. The four year old had failed to shine in three maiden hurdles earlier in the campaign but has evidently benefited from a two months break. By all accounts, the Choeur Du Nord gelding is a very good workhorse and he finally translated to the track on this occasion.

Blue Lemons (2/1) is highlighted as a horse to follow in the Changing Codes section and the ex-Richard Hannon four year old made it two out of three in the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle. Pulled up in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, the Jared O'Sullivan owned runner returned to his best here with an authoritative victory. Held up by Paul Townend, Willie Mullins' charge quickened up between the final two flights before pulling away on the run-in. Rated 97 on the level, the Blue Point gelding has plenty of options under both codes.

I am working at Thirsk on Tuesday evening and will therefore update the Diary later in the week. In the meantime, if you haven't ordered a copy of Ahead On The Flat - while stocks last with less than 100 copies available - please head to the Publications section of the site. Those orders received over the Easter period will be posted on Tuesday morning.