Katie T beats Cailini Alainn © Photo Healy Racing
Smart hurdler Katie T battled gamely to take the concluding mile-and-a-half handicap at Leopardstown this afternoon.
4/1 favourite Cailini Alainn was produced to lead over a furlong from home in the finale but was soon tackled by Katie T and Chris Hayes.
The Kevin Prendergast-trained filly stuck her head out in the closing stages to win a good duel by half a length.
The winner, who was making his first start since finishing third behind Annie Power in the Grade 1 at Punchestown, was backed from 14/1 this morning into as short as 5/1. She drifted a bit on course, returning 8/1.
“She's a good mare and I thought on her jumps form she was well handicapped on the Flat,” said Hayes afterwards.
“She took a bit of a heave but her class got her through. She'll go hurdling now. I don't know what he has in mind for her but I do know she has an entry in the Morgiana Hurdle.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
