Transcending Glory clung on by the narrowest margin after a fierce battle with Quadruple in the Ryans Cleaning Handicap at Leopardstown.

Johnny Murtagh 's Cotai Glory glory soon adopted his customary front-running tactics as he took over from Quadruple who broke smartly.

Quadruple stalked him in second for the most part and the pair separated themselves from third-running Martinelli approaching the final furlong.

Quadruple kept coming and the pair fought out the spoils stride for stride with Transcending Glory getting the judge's decision by a nose at 15/2. Runner-up Quadruple went off the 11/4 favourite and was three-and-a-half-lengths clear of Martinelli (8/1).

Jockey Ben Coen said: “I didn't really know, it was quite tight. It's nice to get his head back in front.

“To be fair, he does try hard and he does battle them off when they come to him. He just waits for them a little bit, but I think he finds when they are pushing them along.

“He's been an improving horse this year and hopefully he can stay going.

“I went out thinking if I got a lead I wouldn't mind. As it ended up, I got to the front and I thought I got it even enough around the bend and I was able to pick up in the straight.

"It worked out nice.”

This doubled Transcending Glory's career total as he also scored at Dundalk in April.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson