Treacys battles back to win for Oakley Brown

Two County Weford-trained horses had the Blackrock Insurance Kilmacud Handicap Hurdle to themselves from two out, and in the end Treacysenniscorthy (11/4 fav, from 11/2 in the morning and 7/2 on course) came out on top by half a length. Burlesque Queen (9/2) had got a nice through on the inner to lead after two out with the eventual winner under pressure as he relinquished the lead, but Liz Doyle’s mare was awkward at the last and was reeled in close home by the strong-staying winner.

The Dabbler (8/1) finished another sixteen lengths away in third place.

It was another good effort in the saddle from 7lbs claimer Oakley Brown, riding his fifth winner of the season and a first for a trainer other than his boss Joseph O’Brien.

The winner, a seven-year-old by Beneficial, popped up at 50/1 in a beginners’ chase at the Listowel Festival and, reverting to hurdles, won a 3m handicap off an 8lbs lower mark at this track last month.

“He’ll go back over fences now at Leopardstown in a 2m5f opportunity handicap chase, said winning trainer Robert Widger.

“Today was as short as he would want to be going. He’d want that and more.

“Oakley is a very good young lad and is great value for his 7lb claim.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee