Lucky Lass hangs on for narrow win under O'Keeffe

Killinure Lass had luck on her side when just holding off the fast finishing Tangental to win the Leugh Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.

Ridden by Cheltenham winning jockey Darragh O'Keeffe, the Brian McMahon trained mare looked to be facing a real battle when joined by race favourite Tangental on the run to the final flight.

However, the race was decided at that obstacle, with the Colm Murphy trained mare making a serious error which all but cost her any chance of winning. To her credit, she ran on bravely at the death but the line was always just coming too soon.

At the same time, nothing should be taken from the winner, who ran her race and found plenty once challenged in the straight.

Darragh O'Keeffe became the fifth winning jockey on this card to have also ridden a Cheltenham winner during the week.

Trainer Brian McMahan said: "she got awfully lonesome on the run-in but luckily the line came in time. She was unlucky to bump into Ishan at Punchestown (in January) when she ran a belter and wasn't winning out of turn today.

"She is entered at Cork on Thursday but I'll wait and give her a chance to recover.

"That's her second win and thanks to Ester Wright who ride her out every day and is a great worker and a great help in the yard."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes