Lad completes hat-trick for McNiff

Presenting Lad completed his hat-trick with a game performance in the Pat Doyle Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan.

The Mark McNiff-trained gelding came into the two-miler off the back of two chase wins last month and went to post a 7/1 shot.

Kevin Sexton produced his mount to lead over the last and he clung on as The Dasher Conway rallied to get within a head at the line.

The stewards had a look after he came close with the runner-up on the run-in but the result stood.

“I was worried about the ground, it was a wee bit slower than what his best would be on,” said McNiff.

“It needed to dry as much as it did. He's won on slower but to be at his best he needs quick ground.

“We've had that much rain all summer you wouldn't know what way the weather was going to be. We could have a dry autumn as we've had one of the wettest Augusts we've ever had.

“He's fresh and well so we'll keep him going if the weather lets us.”