The 2024 edition of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse was won in a thrilling finish by Intense Raffles who denied the 12-year-old Any Second Now.

The Thomas Gibney-trained Intense Raffles was always near the lead and jumped superbly in the hands of JJ Slevin.

Any Second Now, trained by Ted Walsh and owned by JP McManus, emerged as a huge challenger coming over the last fence.

But 13/2 shot Intense Raffles found plenty to fend of the challengers, with Any Second Now in second, the Willie Mullins-trained Minella Cocooner in third, Gordon Elliott's Frontal Assult in fourth, and Pat Fahy's History of Fashion in fifth place.

“He’s a fantastic horse and it’s easy to train good horses like that,” said trainer Gibney.

“Last February was the first time I spoke to them (Munir and Souede) and fair play to the boys.

“It’s very easy for the big owners to go to the big yards, so for them to pick out a small stable like us and give us a horse, kudos to them. That takes a bit of doing and it’s great to repay them.

“When he won here the last time we were just getting to know him and it’s just fallen into place. I could make out like I’m a genius but I’m not really, it’s just the way it worked out – it worked out well.

“I had huge confidence in the horse. People were asking me if I was nervous and hand on my heart I wasn’t because we had huge confidence in him. He’s the best I’ve had.

“He’s just a good horse, when you ride a good horse you just get a feeling that this horse is so much better than the others. That’s the feeling I get on him nearly every day I ride him.

“He’s only six so who knows where he’ll go. It was a dream to win it in 2012, it was so different to today as there was so much expectation today and pressure.”

He added: “I want to say thanks to the staff, it’s a small outfit with my family, my daughters, my wife and a small local team. They are brilliant and it’s great for them, they need it as much as I need it.

“I’m getting hugs and kisses, it feels like a wedding! I’m a Meath man and to win it twice is surreal.

“The two lads (Munir and Souede) are on planes, they were hoping to watch it so I hope they did see it.”

Result of the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Grand National

1st: Intense Raffles 13/2

2nd: Any Second Now 14/1

3rd: Minella Cocooner 20/1

4th: Frontal Assult 25/1

5th: History of Fashion 50/1

6th: Wellhavewan 13/2

7th: Nick Rockett 4/1f

8th: Where It All Began 16/1

9th: Yeah Man 8/1

10th: Hartur D'Arc 20/1

UR: Churchstone Warrior 50/1

Fell: Favori De Champdou 14/1

Pulled Up: Senior Chief 10/1, Diol Ker 80/1, Dunboyne 40/1, Cool Survivor 50/1, Good Time Jonny 10/1, Street Value 33/1, Daily Present 16/1, Where's Frankie 16/1

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.