Tom Cleary continued a good recent run as Landline came out best in a thrilling finish to the six-furlong Inspire Child Development Centre Apprentice Handicap at Naas.

The Athlone trainer has just four horses riding out at the moment but has now won with his last three runners after the four-year-old gelding followed up a recent course and distance success.

Tom Madden ’s mount dug deep in the closing stages to prevail by a head from top-weight Rattling Jewel with Tush just a further head back in third.

Cleary said of the 13/2 chance, “I’m delighted but not entirely surprised as we worked him on Thursday and we knew he’d improved. The handicapper went easy on us the last day and hopefully he won’t go too hard again.

“We might try him over seven at Galway as I’d like to have a runner there. He acts on any ground.

“He’s a pure pet in the yard and my grandson rides him around and he’s only seven. I have to thank Jim Bolger who put him my way last year and he wasn’t too hard on us either.”