The Robbie McNamara-trained Lake Takapuna won the day after a good duel with Eight Till Late in the closing stages of the Frank O'Beirne Memorial Handicap Chase at Sligo.

The pair fought it out turning for home in the two-mile-one contest and there was nothing between them from the last.

10/1 shot Lake Takapuna just found a bit more close home, under David Mullins, to record a hard-fought neck success.

The winner was bouncing back to form having been pulled up when last seen in action over timber at the Galway festival.

David Mullins said afterwards:- “It was great for Robbie after losing the horse (Matin D’anjou in the previous race) and he does well with the few that he has.

“He won a race at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day and we thought he was a good horse. I’d say he’s just a little bit tricky and he likes being ridden like that.

“I probably got there a bit soon on him but he’s battled the whole way to the line.

“Robbie Mc used to ride everyone to sleep from out the back and he gave me a text earlier saying basically do the same. It’s great that it has worked out.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)