Empress rules for Doyle

Killourney Empress got the split when she needed it to claim the four-year-old plus ten furlong handicap at Clonmel.

Billy Lee had to wait for a gap in the straight on the Holy Roman Emperor mare but she got daylight over a furlong from home.

The 7/1 shot (10/1 this morning) hit the front inside the final furlong and kept on well for a length success as Danequest finished well on the near side to take second.

The winner was making her second start of the season having been well held on her return in very testing conditions at Gowran Park last month.

“Things are going well and the horses are in good form,” said Doyle. “I was a bit worried as she boiled over beforehand and she's not usually as hot as that.

“Billy said she travelled well and picked up nicely. She's in again at Killarney next Tuesday. The drop back to a mile might not help but she'll probably run.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)