Hear The Echo, a 33-1 outsider ridden by Paddy Flood, jumped brilliantly to win the Powers Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

The Mouse Morris-trained seven-year-old held off a strong challenge from 6-1 favourite Royal County Star before pulling away for a clear victory.

He took up the running turning into the straight but although Royal County Star got into contention he faded badly.

Notre Pere finished third, just ahead of A New Story.

Top-weight Beef or Salmon struggled and finished last in what could be his final race of an illustrious career.

Hear The Echo, who carried the colours of airline boss Michael O'Leary, had shown a decent level of form as a novice last year and had won at Grade Two level last January, but it had been downhill ever since.

But he showed a return to form to claim a 12-length victory and for Morris, it was a welcome winner after a near-miss at Cheltenham with Venalmar.

"This horse disappointed in the Paddy Power, but a lot of mine were sick at the time," he said.

I felt the time had come to be fair to my owners Conor O'Dwyer

"He came right the week before Cheltenham and he travelled very well today and jumped super. "He is a real National-type horse and he would have gone to Aintree this year only he wouldn't have got in. The plan is to go to Aintree next year."

The day also saw the retirement of dual Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Conor O'Dwyer.

The 41-year-old. who had planned to retire next month, won the Betchronicle On Course Hurdle on Davy Fitzgerald's Mister Top Notch and immediately announced he was to quit the saddle.

"I'm 42 next month and I've been riding for 26 years," he said. "I had said I would retire if I rode a winner at Cheltenham, but that plan didn't work out.

"When Davy Fitzgerald rang me to ride Mister Top Notch today I'd decided that was going to be it - win, lose or draw.

"I felt the time had come to be fair to my owners and I've been lucky to get by without any serious injuries."

Irish Grand National (Fairyhouse)
1. Hear The Echo (P W Flood) 33-1
2. Royal County Star (T Murphy) 6-1 Jt Fav
3. Notre Pere (AE Lynch) 12-1
4. A New Story (SJ Hassett) 25-1
23 ran