From Eden tenacious at the finish

From Eden battled well under Mikey Fogarty to fend off Look Closer at the end of two miles in the Johnny McCarthy Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Look Closer loomed large on the outer as the pair raced towards the final hurdle. He got on terms with From Eden on the run-in but the latter kept on best in the final strides to prevail by a head.

The winner didn't go unbacked at 9/2 from an opening show of 13/2. The runner-up was a 7/1 chance. There was a four and three quarter length gap back to Alaliya (14/1). Theydon Park the 6/4 favourite, was a head out of the places in fourth.

Handler Val O'Brien said: "We may try him in a flat race around a mile and two furlongs. He has a bit of flat form.

"I thought he was beaten and I was delighted with the way he battled back so well and ran all the way to the line. His jumping has improved and is a lot quicker. We'll keep him going over the summer in handicaps.

"It's the owner Jackie Kenny's first winner. He's from Oranmore, and has been involved with horses for about 12 years. It's great that he has finally got a winner."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee