Dedoctorsdaughter toughs it out for Hogan

Dedoctorsdaughter in a couple of yards previously, including when victorious 'between the flags' for Mikey O'Connor's twin-sister, Elaine Palmer, landed the second split of the Ballinrobe Golf Club Handicap Hurdle.

Denis Hogan (got a day ban for careless riding) is the trainer and rider now and his partner showed a willing attitude to fend off Taken Twice (12s into 10s) by a neck. Mountain Lough was just half a length back in third.

Dedoctorsdaughter edged slightly into Taken Twice near the finish but there was no alteration following a steward's enquiry.

Hogan reflected: "It's great for these lads (the Wildcats Syndicate) – you couldn't train for a nicer bunch of people.

"She's not a star but I always thought she had one in her. I'd say the handicapper will probably have a hold of her now and I knew she'd have to be off a mark like that to win.

"She's tough and she a point-to-point. She won't go to Galway." (DM & EM)