Presenting Beara wins a thriller

A tremendous finish to the two and a half mile handicap hurdle saw More Madness and Presenting Beara locked together as they hit the line, however, it was Presenting Beara who got the judge’s decision by a nose.

Trainer Colm Murphy said: “I’m delighted to get the nod. He was probably crying out for a bit of a trip. He’s in during the week over three miles. We’ll have a look at it. It’s an option and we’ll see how he is.”

Presenting Beara was delivered on the outside of More Madness at the last by Brian Hayes. The five-year-old gelding responded as Hayes got into a drive though Andrew Lynch was getting more from More Madness as they fought back. It took a lengthy study of the print to declare Presenting Beara the winner at 10/1.

More Madness came second at 8/1 while Killeen Elegance at 33/1 took third, some six and a half lengths back from the battle for first place.

There were three non-runners – Sullane Chief and Mic Milano, both lame, and Manuka King who was withdrawn after getting loose in the parade ring. This reduced the field to 15 runners and three places for punters.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson