Ned justifies confidence to shed maiden tag

Millstream Ned built on a promising run at Limerick last month to open his account in the Irish Examiner Handicap Hurdle at Killarney.

The Westerner gelding, backed on track from 8/1 into 6/1, was prominent throughout in the 2m4f event and kept on gamely in the straight for Mark Enright.

Paddy Neville 's charge held off the persistent challenge of the Ruby Walsh-ridden Joy Neville by a length, with Presenting Mahler probably the unlucky one just a head further back in third.

Ryan Treacy 's mount was boxed in a vital stage early in the straight but came home to great effect when in the clear on the run-in. Battling Spirit completed the placings in fourth.

Neville said, "He's a fine big horse and just took time to come to hand, time and patience has been the key to him.

"He could have won a beginners chase here two runs back when he fell at the third last and to win a hurdle with him is a bonus as he's a proper chasing type. The drop of rain that fell helped and we'll see how he comes out of this before making plans."

(TW & AM)