Declan Bates has certainly got the best out of Knockieran as she just got the better of Mackey Boy in the Beamish Stout Handicap Hurdle for her trainer Jimmy Finn.

The first time Bates partnered the daughter of Oscar she finished second at Ballinrobe in August after a string of poor efforts. Next time out the pair went one place better in Listowel last month winning easily by six lengths.

She went up nine pounds for that win but that didn't deter her today as she kept on well under pressure to catch Mackey Boy (who had led from the second last) on the run-in and win by just a neck at the line.

The winner was third best in the betting at 6/1 while the runner-up Mackey Boy for Pat Neville and Paul Townend was 10/1. Kirbybroguelantern finished two and a quarter lengths back in third at 16/1 while the reserve Moving On completed the placings just a nose back in fourth. Beir Bua who was sent off the 5/1 favourite for Jessica Harrington and Andrew Leigh finished a disappointing sixth.

Winning trainer Jimmy Finn said afterwards: "She is going the right way. She has had lots of problems and it is a good job a vet owns her (William Larkin from Borrisokane) as she is well looked after!

"She might go for the Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle at Naas in a few weeks time (October 24th) . She might scrap in at the bottom of the handicap but I could be a bit optimistic!"