Top weight Baby Whizz (7/1) ran out a convincing winner of the Meath Handicap Hurdle for his trainer Tom Mullins with Mark Walsh aboard.

The son of Dr Massini just sneaked into this race, which was rated 80 to 109, after the handicapper dropped him a pound from his last run at Leopardstown from 110 to 109.

The 6yo gelding was recording his third career success this afternoon having won handicap hurdles at Ballinrobe in July and Wexford in November.

Bottom weight and 20/1 shot Cantrell led the field into the straight under Tommy Treacy but was headed by the winner after two out as he raced clear to score by eight and a half lengths.

Cantrell plugged on for second while the 2/1 favourite Norah Starr was a further three and three parts of a length back in third for her trainer/rider Denis Hogan.

The winner is a full brother to stablemate and decent chaser Dr Whizz.

Winning trainer Tom Mullins said afterwards: "I thought we were going to go novice chasing after this.

"It seems they have to go flat out for him and he is a tricky horse. You can see the way he went right and left up the straight, but he did it well in the end.

"We will see what the handicapper does with him now but he could go for the Boylesports Hurdle at Leopardstown next (January 28th).”