Deserved win for Lass under Hayes for Winters

After being placed on her last four starts, Native Lass got a deserved win to her name in the Tipperary Handicap Chase.

Having filled the runner-up spot at Clonmel, Limerick and Tramore, the Mick Winters trained eight-year-old was last seen finishing third at Downpatrick.

Sent off a 7/2 chance this afternoon, the daughter of Beneficial raced in mid-division under Brian Hayes and was fourth with a circuit to race.

She came with her challenge at the second last and was soon pushed along to lead, keeping on well under pressure on the run-in to see off the challenge of Fairymount Boy (11/2 to 4s) by three parts of a length.

Adam Short was aboard for Fairymount Boy for Michael Hourigan junior, while the 10/3 favourite Buck A Trend was a disappointing fifth.

Winter said afterwards: "Since the time Native Lass came to me, Ann Walsh (owner with her husband Mark Walsh) has been on chemotherapy and they are a fantastic family. They really wanted the mare to win so we are very grateful for the win.

"We were trying Downpatrick and everywhere for her to win and we were going to take the 7lbs (claim) off but Brian Hayes spoke to Mark and he said he'd like to win for him, and we said to hell with it, we'll go for it.

"Brian rode her all year, she was due her turn and when they start in form, she could win again."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes