McKiernan relieved by Challenge win

Another Challenge ground out victory after a gruelling three-mile test in the Littleton Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.

Really Unique had disputed throughout and travelled best in the lead as they turned for home.

Another Challenge pressed him hard from the second last, however, and got his head in front on the run-in.

Paddy Mangan 's mount had to withhold the late surge of Mini Vic who flew home from the last flight to get within a neck of the 6/1 winner at the line.

The Oliver McKiernan-trained Another Challenge had been a winner at Navan just before Christmas and had followed that up with a fine third-placed effort at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day.

“We needed that as a lot of my horses have been under a cloud,” revealed McKiernan.

“The horses colours have been great, they've been eating fine and aren't coughing but they just didn't seem to be finishing their races.

“This lads bloods were 100 percent. He's tough and he had to battle to win. We'll keep him to handicaps now.

“I think the problem might have been from a deep well contamination. It might sound funny but we didn't need to take bloods from the horses for five years because we've never had a problem before. Hopefully we've found the problem.” Bothair Clei was sent off the 11/2 favourite but was well held back in fourth.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)