Helpmeout stepped up on her previous handicap runs to justify favouritism in the Leopardstown Handicap at Leopardstown.

Ridden by the in-form Billy Lee, the daughter of Mastercraftsman stayed on strongly down the outside of the field to win a shade comfortably.

At the furlong pole it looked a battle between the well supported pair The Pargey Bee and The Last Swallow but Lee delivered the Willie McCreery trained filly with a well timed run to quicken up close home.

Winning trainer Willie McCreery said, “I’m delighted for Jimmy and Ciara (Murphy). He bought the mare, Joyce Compton, that I trained to win and this is the first foal out of her.

“I think he’s going to retain this filly as she’s big and scopey. She’s only filling into her frame and whatever she does this year she might improve a bit next year.

“Billy is riding great and gave her a lovely confident ride. He gave her all the time in the world and a nice clear run up the straight. She was a weak filly last year but is strengthening up the whole time.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.