Recently covered Kates Benefit caused a 25/1 surprise to win the Jeremy O'Neill Memorial Mares Hurdle at Killarney today, scoring for old allies dual Champion Jockey Davy Russell and trainer Ken Budds.

The winner secured a quicker jump at the final flight that chief rival and eventual runner-up Whiteout before staying on gamely on the run-in, for a half length win.

Budds, who supplied Russell with his first ever professional ride, later stated "I was delighted to see the rain the whole way down and she seemed to settle much better today than her latest start.

"She was covered by Milan on Monday and is more than likely finished racing now."

Kates Benefit is now the winner of five races and has also been placed at Grade 3 level.

By Tom Weekes