Darragh O'Keeffe and Tilloughna in winning form© Photo Healy Racing
Tilloughna came with a well-timed challenge to pick up the second divide of the 2m6f handicap hurdle in Ballinrobe.
A sloppy jump at the last did the leader Younowhatimean no favours and he was collared a furlong out by the staying-on Tilloughna with Darragh O'Keeffe in the plate.
Tilloughna forged on well to win by three and a-quarter lengths at 6/1 from My Friend The Wind (4/1f) who got up for second by a head from Younowhatimean (22/1).
This was Tilloughna's first success at the 17th time of asking.
Trainer Ken Budds said: "She had great runs in bumpers and lost her way a little bit. Then she ran a cracker over hurdles at Limerick last summer, but just wasn't firing after that. She was running away okay without being herself. The last couple of weeks she's turned a corner and my horses are running better.
"She'd a grand run in Listowel and she was flying at home lately. I fancied her today, I thought she'd win. She just needed a bit of confidence and that will do her the world of good. She'll come on again from that and will jump a fence in time, she's plenty big.
"She's homebred and the owners' other mare (Stormalong, third over 2m1f earlier) was unlucky, she got boxed in and didn't get out in time. They could have had two winners on the day."
The Raceday Stewards interviewed G.B. Noonan, rider of Younowhatimean, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the Whip Regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that G.B. Noonan was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his record in this regard (first offence), they suspended him for three racedays.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
