Aherne's mare has a first hurdle win in her Diary

Staying on well in third racing down to the last, a fast leap carried The Diary Keeper (8/1) into contention in the Fermoy Handicap Hurdle.

The Mahler mare stayed on best on the run-in for 7lb claimer Gavin Brouder to lead close home, beating Storm Flight (13/2) and Shedding (11/2) by a neck and the same.

A bumper winner in 2017, The Diary Keeper had run reasonably well when fourth on her previous start at Fairyhouse and was getting off the mark on her eleventh run over hurdles.

Winning trainer Sean Aherne said: “She won a bumper in Killarney a few years ago and it took her a while to get the knack of hurdling and to relax. She relaxed and hurdled today and it gave her a chance.

"She previously had leg trouble but has her bumper and hurdle won now so will make a broodmare in time.

"She's not finished racing yet and she is in again at Thurles on Thursday; she is very ground dependent and won't go on soft ground so we'll see how she is.

"That's Gavin's first winner for me."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes