Cher Why Not (11/4 into 9/4 favourite) shed his maiden tag at the 17th time of asking in the Killinan Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.

Continuing local trainer Tim Doyle's good run, Cher Why Not stayed on powerfully from an unpromising position up the straight, leading near the finish to touch off Lagenod by half a length.

Cher Why Not's jockey Ryan Treacy was understandably delighted with the success, his first since Trenchtown Rock won for Val O'Brien at Wexford in September.

"It was great to get a win and you won't get a more honest horse. He is not the quickest but he keeps trying; I thought turning in he had a bit too much to do but he keeps going," said Doyle.

"He needed a good leap at the last and he got it. He is an improving horse and that's his fourth run since January 1 over that sort of trip and it's tough on them but he's taking it well.

"We'll probably give him an easy time for a few weeks now and then we'll see if he can get some more nice ground."

(TW & EM)