Spider Web pounces late to net Munster National for Dempsey

SPIDER WEB reeled in Na Trachtalai Abu in the final strides to snatch victory in the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster Grand National at Limerick.

James Motherway’s 40/1 outsider looked like causing an upset when coming through to lead what was a wide-open contest.

The race looked won until Luke Dempsey conjured a dazzling late run out of Spider Web (12/1) to cross the line three-parts of a length to the good for trainer Tom Mullins and owner JP McManus.

Black Scorpion, the 7/2 favourite, was three and three-quarter lengths away in third.

It was the biggest career success for Dempsey, who said: “I got under the second-last a bit and was slow at it, but he winged the last and put his head down and battled.”

Ruby Walsh failed to make a winning return from injury when beaten on his comeback rides.

The 12-times champion Irish jump jockey had been expected to land the EBF Mares Hurdle on the Willie Mullins-trained Good Thyne Tara, but the 4/9 shot could only finish third to stablemate Robin De Carlow (11/4), ridden by Paul Townend.

Walsh had earlier finished fourth on 5/4 favourite Getareason in the opening novice hurdle, won by the Eric McNamara-trained 25/1 outsider Percy Veer in the hands of Davy Russell, who went on to complete a 123/1 treble.

Russell’s second winner of the afternoon came in the PriceWaterhouseCooper Rated Chase, in which he set out to make most of the running aboard even-money shot Tombstone.

Gordon Elliott’s charge was headed by market rival Montalbano at the fifth fence, only to regain the initiative two out and run out a two-length victor.

Russell’s hat-trick was sealed by the victory of the same trainer’s Boot Camp which justified 11/8 favouritism in the beginners chase, bringing up a treble of his own for Elliott who had earlier seen Liam McKenna partner Water Sprite (10/1) to a narrow success in the mares’ handicap hurdle.