Twilight Girl fends off all challengers under Sexton

Twilight Girl made the breakthrough on her ninth start over fences, as she battled gamely to land the Viking Triangle Waterford Mares Beginners Chase.

A winner over flights at Wexford last summer, the bay was fourth on her most recent start at Roscommon earlier this month.

Available at 16/1 this morning, she eventually went off a 17/2 chance in the colours of owner Michael Moore.

Towards the head of affairs throughout under Kevin Sexton, the Craigsteel eight-year-old wasn't fluent at times.

Pushed along in the lead on the approach to two out, she was ridden and kept on well from the last, fending off the efforts of That’s Lifebuoy (10/3) and Klassy Kay (6/4f) by a neck and nose.

Winning trainer Peter Fahey said: "I'm delighted for Michael Moore. She won at Wexford last summer and has been knocking on the door since, always running good races.

"It's grand to get a beginners out of her. She will tip away now and go back to handicaps.

"I think the bit of rain and ease in the ground helped her because she gets caught for toe. With a step-up in trip again she might do a job in a handicap.

"She stays at it and Kevin gave her a good ride. He made plenty of use of her and it suited. She probably doesn't do a whole lot in front but she lasted home today anyway."