Progressive mare She's Got Grit improved her strike-rate over fences to 50% with a fifth win in that sphere in the Grade B Mercury Engineering Handicap Chase at Leopardstown today, winning for trainer Terence O'Brien and jockey Adrian Heskin.

The ten year old mare, having just her 12th career start and her tenth over fences, showed a great willingness as she battled gamely on the run-in for a length and a quarter win over Fever Pitch

She's Got Grit had edged left under pressure on the run-in and while a Stewards' Enquiry was later called, the result was allowed stand.

Following the win, Heskin stated "she's a hardy mare and there are plenty of races for her during the spring."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson