Sphagnum clings on valiantly in a thrilling finish to the Cork National for Shane Broderick

Sphagnum clung on valiantly in a captivating three-way finish to the Paddy Power Cork Grand National to give both trainer Shane Broderick and 7lb claimer Dillon Maxwell their biggest success.

Hand Over Fist, the 9-4 favourite, disputed the running for much of the contest, with Sphagnum in or around third place. Maxwell began to edge his mount closer to the lead four out and outjumped the leader, gaining an advantage he would never relinquish.

Plenty of rivals were building up a head of steam in behind at the penultimate fence, most notably Positive Thinker and Outside The Door, making the lead a tenuous one, but Sphagnum produced an agile leap at the last and burst two lengths clear.

He did not do a great deal in the last 100 yards, but the 8-1 shot pulled out just enough to prevail by a short head from Positive Thinker, with a neck back to Outside The Door.

It was a hugely popular winner for Broderick, a Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey who suffered a serious injury in a fall at the Irish Grand National meeting at Fairyhouse in 1997 which left him in a wheelchair.

Maxwell said: "The plan was to get a lead until maybe the second-last or last, so the line wasn't coming quick enough! We always knew he'd stay as he loves the trip. The longer the trip, the better. He'll stay all day.

"It was good for Shane, who is nice to me, and while he has only a small team of horses, he puts me up on anything he has. The lads in the yard are sound and do well with the few horses they have."

Memorable victory for King brothers

Connor King saddled his first winner over jumps at the fourth attempt when 5-1 shot Oscars Brother powered home to defeat Paggane in the Listed 3m½f novice hurdle.

It was a special victory for King, a former champion apprentice, given it came at his local track in the hands of his younger brother Daniel. The 5-1 shot, who was landing his second victory, had finished an encouraging third over course and distance last month.

"I'm delighted to get off the mark and delighted for everyone," said King. "Dan gave him a great ride. It's my home track and we're only 15 minutes down the road, so it's brilliant. I'm training in Golden, Tipperary.

"I had a four-timer here as a jockey in 2013, so it's always been a lucky track for me."

Crowley off the mark

Bernard Crowley was the second trainer on the card to get off the mark when Burru galloped to a commanding success in the 2m4f handicap hurdle under Tiernan Power Roche.

Crowley, who is based in Kilmeaden, said: "I've had nine point-to-point winners and this is my first track winner. He's been running well all summer; he's just been a little bit unlucky.

"We have 12 in altogether and we do a bit of pre-training as well. My father's in hospital at the moment, so that's for him."

De Bromhead double

Having saddled Envoi Allen to Grade 1 success on Saturday, Henry de Bromhead continued his fine form with a double, with both winners ridden by Darragh O'Keeffe.

Jane Eire looked a smart mare for connections as she bolted up in the opening 2m maiden hurdle, justifying 4-6 favouritism, while Gorgeous Tom ran out an impressive winner of the 2m4f Grade 3 novice chase.

The six-year-old was the 13-8 favourite and landed his second win from three starts over fences, travelling stylishly before darting five and a half lengths clear of Monbeg Park.

Read this next:

'This was the target' - Marble Sands executes plan for burgeoning training partnership in Colin Parker Chase

'Ryan had no chance' - City Of Troy fails to fire but owners Coolmore still come up trumps as Sierra Leone wins the Breeders' Cup Classic

Racing Post Members' Club: 50% off your first three months