Katchy Lady scores in three horse thriller

There may have only been three in the line-up for the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden at Tipperary but it produced a fantastic finish as Katchy Lady just about rewarded those that backed her from 1/2 into 1/3.

The benefit of experience stood to Katchy Lady and Marvelous James as newcomer Chips Are Down looked a little green racing on the outer. Marvelous James kept finding under pressure for Gary Carroll but he was eventually worn down near the line by the Niall McCullagh ridden winner.

Chips Are Down got the message at the business end from Pat Smullen and ran on to be defeated by just a nose by Katchy Lady with Marvelous James only a short-head back last of the three.

Patrick Prendergast trains the victorious daughter of Kyllachy for Rick Barnes (an American by birth, but a Bahamian now who specialises in commodities) of Grangecon Stud in County Wicklow and he said: "I didn't want to run her as I was terrified about the ground.

"She hates that ground and she is still a wee bit weak. We had to run though for the 10,000 bonus (Racing Post Yearling Bonus scheme).

"She'll have a rest now for the time-being. I think it was a very good maiden at Cork when she finished fourth. Today just became a slog from two furlongs down.

"The Marble Hill would be a possibility for her now." (TW & EM)