Smart hurdler Katie T battled gamely to take the concluding mile-and-a-half handicap at Leopardstown this afternoon.

4/1 favourite Cailini Alainn was produced to lead over a furlong from home in the finale but was soon tackled by Katie T and Chris Hayes.

The Kevin Prendergast-trained filly stuck her head out in the closing stages to win a good duel by half a length.

The winner, who was making his first start since finishing third behind Annie Power in the Grade 1 at Punchestown, was backed from 14/1 this morning into as short as 5/1. She drifted a bit on course, returning 8/1.

“She's a good mare and I thought on her jumps form she was well handicapped on the Flat,” said Hayes afterwards.

“She took a bit of a heave but her class got her through. She'll go hurdling now. I don't know what he has in mind for her but I do know she has an entry in the Morgiana Hurdle.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)