Third win of the year for Mr Eko

The Tim Doyle trained Mr Eko maintained his healthy strike rate for the year when narrowly holding on for an all-out win in the Panoramic Restaurant Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown today.

Ridden by Rob Jones, the seven year old son of Catcher In The Rye tracked the leaders before moving to challenge entering the home straight. The winner moved to the front with a good jump at the final flight and stayed on gamely on the run-in before holding off the late challenge of Grange

Afterwards Doyle stated “I thought two miles might be too short for him today – he jumps and keeps galloping, and while he isn't the quickest, is a smashing old horse.

“He's in at Navan over hurdles on Sunday and if he comes out of this, he may go there. He'll go back chasing sooner rather than later and will go something over Christmas.”

Mr Eko carries the colours of Limerick architect Liam Gleeson and was winning his fifth race, and a third, from just four runs, in 2012. Further reporting by Gary Carson