Digeanta battled well in taking the qualified riders’ race at Killarney with Patrick Mullins in the saddle.

Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old gelding made virtually all but was strongly pressed at the two pole by Marchese Marconi (2/1). However, he found plenty more as that rival’s challenge petered out. In the end the favourite put a length and a half on the runner-up who just held on for second by a nose from Diplomat

There were plenty of bets recorded on the winner who was well supported from 7/4 to an SP of 11/10.

Patrick Mullins said: “He’s very tough. That’s why I wanted to make it a test of stamina. He stays particularly well. He beat Marchese Marconi last year over and a mile and six [at this track in July 2013] so I thought two miles one was in our favour.

“The better class staying handicaps on the flat are well within his range, something like the Cesarewitch. He’s still unexposed over hurdles.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson