Riverside City wins Ulster Grand National

Riverside City was previously a maiden over fences

Riverside City benefited from a superb ride by Davy Condon to win Sunday's Ulster Grand National at Downpatrick.

Only fifth jumping the last, Condon brought his mount wide to make his challenge but it looked in vain as top weight Man With Van had gone clear.

The burden took its toll, though, and the final hill saw his stride shorten.

Condon sensed his chance on the six-year-old, trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by JP McManus, and got up right on the line to win by a head at 9-1.

Jupitor was back in third.

"That was my first winner for JP and it is an honour to wear these colours," said Condon.

"We said we would hunt him round and hope to be in with a squeak over the last two. I needed a clear run over the last two so I pulled him wide and he winged the last.

"In fairness he dug deep and will be a fun summer horse."

Elliott said: "This is a lucky track for us so it's nice to win their big race.

"We were worried about him getting the trip so we told Davy to ride him to be placed so that there was no pressure on him. Thankfully it worked out and Davy gave him a peach.

"We might take him to Punchestown for the long-distance chase."