O Mio Babbino grabbed Cahirdown Boy in the closing stages of the qualified riders' handicap chase in Thurles.

Cahirdown Boy collared front-running Shamrock'n Roll over three out and he jumped the next fence well to increase his margin.

Jockey Ray Barron went for home off the final bend, but the pair hadn't burned off Room To Roam and O Mio Babbino who were both working hard to try and get on terms.

Cahirdown Boy slowed into the final fence and both pursuers sniffed a chance of victory. O Mio Babbino improved to second on the run-in and although she edged left, she found for Andrew Burke-Ott and collared the leader in the closing stages.

She kept on best to prevail by a length at 12/1 from the runner-up who went off 13/2 joint favourite. Room To Roam (25/1) was the same distance back in third. Each-way players drew a place dividend from fourth-placed Goodnightngodbless (13/2jf).

Trainer Paddy Cronin said: "I bred her myself and her dam Baidin Fheilimi won three for me and, if this one could do the same, I'd be delighted. She has already won two point-to-points. She is in again next Thursday in Clonmel in a 0-95 chase and we'll see how she is.

"Andrew is having fierce success and everything he is riding seems to be winning. He rides the mare every day and I'm lucky to have him."

He added: "I have one other for the point-to-points and she fell at the last when holding a big chance at Kildorrery and I have two younger horses. Naturally Blond (13-year-old yard favourite) will be back for Killarney in July (for a hat-trick bid) and we're starting him off now."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes