Dublin, Ireland (AFP) — Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis won the Irish Grand National on Monday after a bold front-running display by Haiti Couleurs delivered a memorable victory at Fairyhouse.

British champion jockey Sean Bowen gave the winner a sublime ride to win at 13/2 and become the ninth British winner since 1960.

It was a welcome win for the British in Ireland as the Irish dominated both the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National meeting at Aintree.

“Absolutely amazing,” gasped Curtis, whose winner picked up a cheque for 275,000 euros.

“I was a little bit worried by the ground but Sean Bowen gave him an absolutely brilliant ride.

“I am just dreaming, it was worth the trip.”

Bowen said he was going so easily that he thought there was another circuit to go.

“No words will describe how I feel,” said the 27-year-old Welshman.

“I could not believe how easy he was going and how well he was jumping; he has improved and improved I cannot believe it.

“I thought being champion jockey would top everything but you still want the big winners too.”

Veteran Any Second Now belied his 13 years to finish runner-up, for a second successive year, at 17/2 in what is his final bow.

“I am very proud of him,” said trainer Ted Walsh.

“He is a great horse, second in two English Nationals and twice in the Irish.

“This is definitely his last race and I am delighted he has gone out in good shape.

“Winning would have been a miracle but now he can enjoy himself.”

The 11/2 favourite Quai de Bourbon looked primed to give trainer Willie Mullins a third Grand National victory inside a month.

However, he failed to emulate Nick Rockett in the Grand National at Aintree and Captain Cody in the Scottish version as he tired after the last fence to finish third.