Black Samurai was a gritty winner of the two mile seven Muckross Handicap Steeplechase in Killarney.

The seven-year-old gelding began inching away from his rivals over the second last. He stayed on best once clearing the last and didn't allow Northern Love to get a sniff of victory.

The 5/1 joint favourite beat that 8/1 shot by two and a quarter lengths with Sean O'Keeffe sending the winner home. Dundeedy Lad was three lengths further adrift in third at 12/1.

Trainer Sean Aherne said: "He is improving away and I'm delighted with him. This race came up and we had to have a go at it.

"I have to bring another horse with him to the races, and at Limerick the last day we were a bit disappointed with him but we when we arrived there was white froth out through him.

"He is a horse who is always a little on the edge and could go over the top easily but there was none of that today and he spared himself.

"I'd say he is only coming to himself as he had bits of trouble and was hard to get him right. He is progressing away and I'd say the nicer ground is a big help - the dream is for him to become a nice horse.

"His owner is here today for the first time - it is terribly important that these fellas get out to enjoy themselves watching their horses."

Black Samurai has now won three of his last four handicap chases and was runner-up in the other one.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes