Teacher’s Pet made it three wins from her last four starts when taking the Ballagh Mares Handicap Hurdle in fine style for the father and son team of Philip and Luke Dempsey at Thurles.

The daughter of Oscar had gained her previous two victories over longer trips at Downpatrick but coped well with this drop back to 2m4f.

The 4/1 favourite led two out and, after asserting before the final flight, was just pushed out on the run-in to score by five and a half lengths. Court Challenge took the runner-up spot with topweight Flaviana another five and a half lengths away in third.

Philip Dempsey said "She jumped and did everything well. She loves that ground and we're lucky with the start to the winter we've had. She jumps great and will make a nice chaser.

"Good ground is the key to her and I'll speak to Frank (Berry) but she might have a break now."

Luke Dempsey said, “She’ll be a mare for fences next year as she jumps brilliant. She travelled well and seems to be improving. She’s not slow, picked up well and just idled a bit in front."

(TW & AM)