Aintree aim as Alliance lands Kerry National; RACING.

Byline: CHRIS WRIGHT 

NEXT year's John Smith's Grand National could be on the agenda for Tony Martin's Northern Alliance after he landed the Guiness Kerry National at Listowel yesterday.

Under Ruby Walsh, who was winning the race for a fourth time, Martin's eight-year-old was settled just behind the lead set by Michael Hourigan's Church Island for much of the race. But the 4-1 favourite, along with stable-mate Royal County Star, passed that rival.

A stumble by Royal County Star allowed Northern Alliance to go clear and he landed the contest by a length from Church Island, who rallied to get go close.

William Hill introduced Northern Alliance as a 33-1 chance for next year's Aintree marathon and Martin said: "He's a super horse to ride and a super horse to train, he's very versatile.

"I'm thrilled for the lads in the syndicate as they have been with me for years, and I'm also really happy for the third as he's run a cracker.

"Ruby always seemed to be happy, and things worked out well.

"He'll probably be handicapped out of it now, and we may give him a break before looking at some conditions races."

Meanwhile Aidan O'Brien is hoping Rip Van Winkle will be ready to run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot a week on Saturday.

The Galileo colt has been mixing it at the top level, but has found Sea The Stars too good in the 2000 Guineas, the Derby and the Eclipse. But he was a superb winner of the Sussex Stakes last time.

Rip Van Winkle has had a number of injury problems and has not run since. But O'Brien is hopeful he will line up in the Ascot Group One.

He said: "We are getting there with him and are happy enough with the horse. I think there is a reasonable chance we will get him to Ascot, but it's not definite just yet." TODAY'S NAP: Angus Newz (4pm Pontefract).