Rabbitte pops up for welcome maiden win

Jimmy Rabbitte provided Summerhill trainer David Broad with a welcome change of fortune when coming out best in an exciting finish to the Cashel Maiden Hurdle at Thurles.

There were four horses in a line approaching the final hurdle, and it was the Denis O’Regan-ridden 8/1 (from 10’s) chance that finished best on the outer.

The son of Dubai Destination just got the better of Western Honour by a head, with Leave Your Mark only a neck further back in third.

The front-running Belle West only gave best on the run-in to finish another two and a half lengths adrift in fourth.

Broad said, "It wasn't the best race in the world but he ran well in a handicap at Fairyhouse last week.

"He probably wants a bit further in softer ground but there should be another race or two in him and he's only a five-year-old. He'll go handicapping now and has a rating of 88 which is about right."

(TW & AM)