Girl battles back gamely under Flanagan

Twilight Girl recorded her third career success as she just got the better of Balinaboola Steel in the Limerick Handicap Chase.

Successful at Tramore in August and beaten by just a nose at Galway in September, the Peter Fahey trained nine-year-old failed to make an impact on her last three starts.

Sent off at 20/1 this evening under Sean Flanagan, the Craigsteel bay disputed the lead for much of the contest but was headed on the approach to the second last.

Ridden before the final fence, she rallied gamely on the run-in and after a ding-dong battle with Balinaboola Steel, just a head separated them at the line.

The runner-up was returned at 17/2 (from 20s early) under Danny Mullins for John 'Shark' Hanlon, while Super Citizen (15/2) was two lengths back in third. Father Jed was sent off the 5/1 favourite and he finished fifth.

"She always wants nice ground and will tip away in those summer chases and could also go back over hurdles as well," Fahey said.

"She won in Tramore last year, she really stays at it and jumps well. We tried her during the winter but she isn't big enough for winter fences. Hopefully she will win again during the summer. I'm delighted for her owner Michael Moore."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes