Maria Quinlan who celebrated her twenty first birthday today received the perfect present when Talkin Kate came home in front of the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.

Quinlan took up the lead aboard the 11/2 shot inside the final furlong and the pair just held on for a narrow win over the fast finishing Appletreemagic

It was a second career win for Quinlan who is attached to the Flynn stable.

A delighted Flynn said afterwards: “It’s a lovely present for Maria [Quinlan] who is twenty one today.”

“This horse has been off for awhile and I genuinely thought she’d need the run. Please god she’ll run again Friday.”