Perseverance pays off for Chianti

Kilbarry Chianti won at the 14th attempt when running out a game winner of the KilbegganRaces.com Mares Maiden Hurdle at Kilbeggan.

The Con O'Keeffe trained five-year-old had failed to trouble the judge on seven runs over flights, although had been placed five times in bumpers.

Pulled up on heavy ground at Cork last time, she clearly appreciated the better ground as she travelled easily behind the leaders before taking it up before two out.

Odds on favourite Walk On The Moone clearly failed to give her true running but the winner was certainly value for a deserved success.

“She's a home-bred filly from a family that we've had for 16 or 17 years,” said O'Keeffe.

“She's from a wonderful family, her dam is a half-sister to Tropical Lady. We have another half-sister by Flemensfirth (Kilbarry Lilac) who ran at Wexford recently as well.

“I'm delighted to get the win with her as she had run well in a few bumpers early on. It's nice to get a little race with her and we'll look for another modest assignment.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson