Bella Blue Eyes battled back tenaciously to claim the feature at Killarney this evening, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race.

Successful on her third start at Leopardstown last month, the Paddy Twomey-trained bay was initially favourite for this mile contest but eventually went off the second choice of punters at 13/8.

After breaking smartly to lead, Billy Lee was soon content to settle his mount in second behind the front-running Mr Lincoln

She closed on that rival from early in the straight and improved to lead with less than two furlongs to race.

Soon pressed on the outer by Nation's Call the Edward Walsh-owned victor was narrowly headed inside the final 200 yards, but fought back gamely in the closing stages, prevailing by just a nose at the line.

Returned the 6/5 favourite, Nation's Call had to settle for second under Chris Hayes, while Mr Lincoln was another two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third.

"She was tough. We were keen to get a lead tonight because we made plenty of use of her over seven in Leopardstown. Going a mile we were keen to get a lead," said Twomey.

"It worked out, she was tough and when she had to win it she won it. I'm very happy with that.

"She's comfortable at seven to a mile and I think she likes a bit of nice ground. Hopefully we'll step up in grade now.

"I'd say she just went asleep when she went to the front and Billy said when she realised the other horse was there she woke up, or maybe he woke her up!

"It was great she won and I would have been disappointed if she had got beat."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson