McEnery back in winners enclosure with Granny

The Paul McEnery-trained Granny Knot dug deep to run out a game winner of the Killinan Maiden Hurdle at Thurles.

Having chased the leaders in the early stages the 14/1 shot (25/1 this morning) was sent up to dispute on the top bend.

The Windsor Knot gelding fought it out with Barangarou down to the last and had a narrow advantage jumping the final flight.

Sean O'Keeffe was strong on his mount as he got him home by a length-and-three-quarters. 4/5 favourite Gold Des Bois could only finish third.

The winner had been a well held sixth behind smart prospect The Big Getaway on his hurdling debut at Naas last month.

It was a first success since November 2017 for the Kilkenny handler and he said:- "We ran him in a bumper here last year and were hoping he might give us a surprise and we then ran him at Punchestown and he ran away with Patrick Mullins.

"We let him off and he has turned inside out. We were hoping he might do something like that and we're hoping he improves again. 

"He was to run at Christmas but received a cut schooling here. He is a big horse and we'll take it as it comes. We don't have that many and we'll enjoy today."

There was drama at the first flight in the race with Kildrum crashing out and bringing down Golden Apples Witness Cant State and Amber Wings were both hampered and unseated their riders.

Luckily horses and riders were unscathed.

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)