Grangeclare Gold ran out a gutsy winner of a competitive looking two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle at Bellewstown.
Roger Lougran produced the mare to lead at the second last and she stuck to her guns well in the closing stages to record a length-and-a-quarter success from Now This Is It
There was drama at the third last with King High finding himself short of room on the approach to the flight and ducking out.
"There was going to be a two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle somewhere for her and everything fell into place today," said trainer Dessie Hughes of the winner.
"She had two good runs on the Flat. The last day here she got held up a bit in the straight and got no run.
"She's a nice mare and is from a good family. I might go back on the Flat with her where is is rated 77.
"She has to have quick ground - she can't operate on soft. So there is a limit on time with her. As long as the sun keeps shining we can run her."
