Brides Hill just clung on in a desperate finish to the opening Bar One Racing Irish EBF Mares Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained top-weight looked set for an easy victory when cruising into the lead after the second last in the two-and-a-half mile contest.

Keith Donoghue had to ask his mount for an effort on the run-in, however, as Queen Jane stayed on to press.

Brides Hill was all out at the line as Queen Jane pushed her hard to get within a head at the death.

The 2/1 winning favourite was following up on her successful return to action at Listowel in September.

Cromwell said:- “She was topweight and the classiest mare in the race. She needed the line and probably just over-raced a bit on that ground.

“Apart from the first she jumped really well. We have done an awful amount of schooling with her and I think the penny has finally dropped.

“She wouldn’t want the ground any softer than that and is probably one more for the spring. We might look at Leopardstown as the ground is often better there.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)