Keith Donoghue is enjoying a fine spell and registered his 16th winner of the season when steering the Matthew Smith trained Eimear to win the Clonmel Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel today.

Carrying the colours of Kathleen Smith, the daughter of Court Cave today bagged her second career win following a Kilbeggan win in July, and her first over hurdles, when comfortably beating Trickey Trix by ten lengths.

Smith wasn't present and afterwards Donoghue stated “she stays well, travelled well and jumped brilliantly.

“I was wary enough turning in - I wanted to let her stride on and didn't want it to turn into a sprint. I probably won too far but I was afraid that one might do her for toe.

“She is very consistent, wasn't right the last day and Matty has his horses back in good form and there's no better man that Matty to have them ready.”