On his first outing since November course and distance winner Mick Charlie proved well up to the task in the Follow Kilbeggan On Twitter Handicap Hurdle.

Shane Fitzgerald was aboard the nine-year-old for the first time, and for owner Thomas Coughlan and trainer Declan Queally the winner stuck on strongly with the outcome still in the balance from before the final flight. The Declaimer was in pursuit at that stage, but he could get no closer than three and a quarter lengths. Pat Coyne a County Waterford-trained previous track and trip scorer like Mick Charlie, finished a length and a half back in third.

“He’d a number of good runs last summer and had slipped up the handicap so Shane’s claim was a big help,” said Queally’s son Declan junior.

“He’s entered in Killarney next week so we’ll see how he comes out of this and what the handicapper does with him.

“He can run over fences or hurdles at the country tracks. He’s a grand fun horse.”

R. Deegan, rider of Rathnaleen Tou trained by Eoin Christopher McCarthy, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Rathnaleen Tou, trained by Eoin Christopher McCarthy, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have blood at both nostrils post race.

P.T. Enright, rider of Loughaneala Og trained by W.J. Burke, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the first hurdle.

(AM & EM)