Tatum just prevails to bring up late double for Meade

Having also been successful in the previous contest, trainer Noel Meade brought up a late double as Tatum just held on under Chris Hayes to win the concluding Irish Champions Festival Handicap at Leopardstown.

A winner at this track on her penultimate start, Tatum continued her progression when second to a well handicapped rival at Fairyhouse subsequently.

Back at the Foxrock venue this evening, the filly was always well placed under Hayes, before coming through to head Pearl Jewel early in the home straight.

Keeping on strongly once challeneged by the fast finishing Louiecall, the 11/4f held on to win by a head.

Noel Meade said:“She’s a tough little thing. She cracked her pelvis as a three-year-old and missed most of the season.

“She stays well and likes that ground. They (The Peerless Partnership) are quite keen to go to Galway, so we’ll probably go there.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.