Pace And Passion again advertised the training skills of Athgarvan handler Thomas Farrell when taking the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Killarney.

The eight year-old mare opened her account at Bellewstown last month over 2m4f, and added to her tally here over the same trip.

Owned in partnership by former Turf Club senior steward Pierce Molony and John Murphy, the 8/1 chance was produced from off the pace to lead after the penultimate flight.

She faltered slightly at the final flight but soon got going again on the run-in and drew clear for Jody McGarvey to score by two and a quarter lengths. Exhibit Five took the runner-up berth, with well-backed 5/2 favourite Millstream Ned keeping on at one pace another neck away in third.

Farrell said, "She's improving all the time, and was a bit unlucky at Cork last time where she was caught in a pocket and just didn't get the run of the race.

"We'll look for something similar again. She's really got it together recently, and goes on all sorts of ground."