Stephaine Kate was the one punters wanted to know about most in the I.T.B.A. Fillies Scheme Novice Hurdle and she did just about enough from the front under David Casey before losing the race in a steward's enquiry at Fairyhouse.

Bryan Cooper on Definite Class tried to get up the inside of Casey (got a 4-day ban for improper riding) and Stephaine Kate going to the final flight (island hurdles) but he was hampered losing valuable momentum. Definite Class came home strongly after that on the run-in and went down by just a neck.

Trainer of Stephaine Kate, Charlie Swan said: "We didn't want to make the running as she idles in front. They went no gallop so David did the right thing as she stays well.

"When the other horse came to her she went on again. We'll see what we'll do now but she could be a nice mare over fences next year."

Philip Reynolds owns Stephaine Kate and he missed the race though he was represented by his father, former Taoiseach Albert.

Meanwhile Dessie Hughes trains Definite Class for the Three Locks Syndicate and this was continuing Bryan Cooper's good run of form.