Say It Ain't So battled back gamely to get up again close home and land the Redmondstown Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel for Henry de Bromhead.

The Kayf Tara gelding was a promising fourth on his debut at Limerick in June but had faded after running keenly back at the same track the following month.

He was prominent throughout in today's two-mile contest under Daniel Holden but surrendered the lead to 2/1 favourite Master Artist two from home after a sloppy jump.

Holden gave the 8/1 shot a strong drive on the run-in and he got his head in front again close home to record a neck success.

De Bromhead had lost last flight faller Hollow Moon in the opener and said:- "It was very sad about the mare in the first; she looked to be going really well she fell and it is very sad to lose her.

"I'm delighted with this guy and he is a real big chasing type of horse who loves that better ground. Hopefully he has a nice future and he is such a big horse all the time he gets will stand to him.

"I'll wait until next year to go chasing.

"The ground was a bit on the quick side for (the withdrawn) January Jets."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)