Defining Battles well for Hoban

It wasn’t to be for Frankie Dettori at Killarney this evening, as his last chance of a winner came and went when Finding Nero 2/1 favourite, could manage only fourth in the Rentokil Initial 3yo Handicap. Johnny Murtagh’s gelding was one-paced inside the final quarter mile as Defining Battle followed up his game maiden win at Listowel with another tenacious effort.

Conor Hoban ’s mount edged out Elite Trooper Grey by a head, with Millswyn two lengths further back in third. Michael Halford was completing a double on the evening, after Katiymann scored at Fairyhouse.

The winning rider remarked afterwards "he is a lovely big horse and will be a typical one of Michael Halford's that will improve. He toughed it out well and idled a little bit and when the second horse came to him he stuck his nose out.

"It was his first run in a handicap, he is a fine big tall horse who will do nothing but improve and you'd really like him."

Additional reporting by Thomas weekes