Andrew wins battle of McNamara brothers

Andrew McNamara just got the better of his brother Robbie in a driving finish to the two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle at Punchestown.

Bold Optimist and Andrew McNamara cut out the running but looked booked for second when claimed by Robbie McNamara's mount Mr Eko running to the last.

Ray Hackett's charge rallied gamely on the run-in however to get his head narrowly back in front in the closing stages.

The front pair were strongly pressed in the closing stages as 4/1 favourite Bog War flashed home. Just a head and another head separated the first three at the line.

Bold Optimist had unseated McNamara on his handicap debut at Thurles last month and there was some support for him today as he was as big as 16/1 this morning and returned a 10/1 shot.

The winning rider said afterwards:- "I thought turning in he was going to get swallowed up but he battled well and he probably jumped the last hurdle better than anything."

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)