Listowel Festival

Tony Martin's Northern Alliance rewarded favourite-backers with a determined display to claim the Guinness Kerry National, the highlight of the Listowel Festival.

Gallant veteran Church Island made a bold fist of things from the front, but the 4-1 market leader loomed up menacingly at the top of the straight, with stablemate Royal County Star hot on his heels.

Northern Alliance found most after the last to register a one-length win, with Church Island sticking on strongly to thwart a Martin one-two.

The Montjeu colt performed pacemaking duties in the Classic and failed to beat a rival home, but this is more his level and after Seamie Heffernan booted him past Via Galilei on the turn in, he stayed on well to inflict a three-and-a-half-length defeat on Eytarna.

Chris Hayes got a good tune out of Toufan Express in the Exchange Inn Ballybunnion & Kevin Brodericks Bar Handicap.

The 10-1 chance came from a position near the rear to strike the front at the furlong pole, and he quickened nicely to beat Slieve Mish by a length.

Paul Townend led his rivals a merry dance on the Willie Mullins-trained Super Sonic Boom (9-2), who proved too strong in the Irish Wire Products EBF Maiden.

However, Mullins' Dual Gales was favourite for the Ballygarry House Hotel Novice Hurdle, but could never land a blow behind Time Electric, who was representing the champion NH trainer's brother Tom.

Emmett Mullins was positive from the start on the 7-2 shot and he saw off Berties Dream by three-quarters of a length, while Henry de Bromhead's dual bumper winner Loosen My Load (9-10 favourite) made a successful start to his jumping career in the Intervet/Schering-Plough Maiden Hurdle,

Ireland Good To Sea The Stars

Epsom Derby winner Sea The Stars showed his class once again as he strode to a hugely impressive victory in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

John Oxx's colt had been a doubt for the race because of soft ground but he clinched his fifth successive Group One victory in magnificent style.

Mick Kinane's mount took the lead at the furlong marker and had two lengths to spare from Fame And Glory.

Mastercraftsman, runner-up to Sea The Stars at York last month, took third.

The son of Cape Cross added the £505,000 first prize to his 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, Eclipse and Juddmonte International triumphs.

John Oxx's colt went off at 4-6 favourite as Aidan O'Brien's horses Set Sail and Rockhampton produced a strong early gallop in an attempt to boost the chances of their stablemates Fame And Glory and Mastercraftsmen.

Fame And Glory made a brave bid for glory at the two furlong marker but Sea The Stars quickly drew level before pulling clear in the closing stages.

Sea The Stars is now the 7-4 favourite for next month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe while he may also be aimed at the Breeders' Cup Classic later in the autumn.