Fran Berry took a big step towards gaining his first Irish Jockeys' Championship with a hat-trick of wins at Killarney this evening, completed on Jessica Harrington's Alpine Eagle in the Killarney Veterinary Clinic Race.

Berry raced the son of Golan in rear, made progress from five furlongs out, and although he soon came under pressure, stayed on gamely to hold Mount Helicon by a head.

Harrington was absent but the win was Berry's 49th of the season, three ahead of Pat Smullen at teh head of the Jockeys' Championship.