"We've found the key to her now by getting her to settle and give her a chance and she finishes well," said Willie McCreery after his Valentana did just that under Billy Lee to make it two on the spin in the Celtic Steps Handicap at Killarney.

The hat-trick chasing Intrepid Prince gave it a good go from the front in this extended mile heat but he couldn't fend off the patiently ridden Valentana who got there inside the final hundred yards for a length and three parts win.

Well-backed second favourite Could Should Would faded to beat only two home.

"It is nice to win again with her and it's nice for John and Janice Liggett (owners) who have been patient; they left me along with her when others would have been saying to run and I knew she wasn't as bad as she was running," added McCreery.

"She'll go for something similar next."

(TW & EM)