The father and son combination of Eamonn and Eoin O'Connell teamed up to take the Killeen Sports Grounds Rated Novice Hurdle at Ballinrobe on Friday evening with Admiral Brian.

The seven-year-old has held his own in competitive Navan handicaps since breaking his duck there in February, and was a popular choice with punters in this slightly less taxing affair.

The 13-8 favourite challenged Ice Cool for the lead between the final couple of flights and after taking it up jumping the last, kept on well to beat Definite Earl by two and a half lengths.

Winning trainer Eamonn O'Connell said: "I think he will run over fences at Tipperary next on May 12.

"This was just in between, we took a chance and it worked out. He is improving away and he got a grand ride.

"Hopefully there will be another day in him and I think he will be a nice horse over fences."

The complexion of the Hollymount Nursing Home Handicap Hurdle changed at the last when the strong-travelling Babanango hit the deck as he was just about to make what appeared to be a winning challenge.

That left Mic Milano (7-1) and Duty Dance disputing matters and the former just got the verdict in a photo.

Let Her Cry proved that last month's 50-1 Limerick third was no fluke by landing the Connacht Telegraph Mares Maiden Hurdle as the even-money favourite.

Similarly, Bringerofthedawn filled the runner-up berth at a big price at Fairyhouse and went one better in the Costello & McDermott Maiden Hurdle as a 11-4 shot.

CONFIDENT WALSH

Mark Walsh rode a confident race to claim top honours in Ballinrobe's Monroe's Live Rated Novice Chase on Vent De La Cote.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old got better with experience over hurdles and is following suit in this sphere, bettering frame finishes at Thurles and Naas.

The 11-10 favourite challenged long-time leader Archie Meade after jumping the last obstacle and appeared to have plenty in the tank as he saw off that rival by a length.

Trainer Martin Brassil said: "He was probably more at home over the country style fences rather than the bigger tracks.

"He has taken a little bit of time to learn his trade over fences, he is sensible but he will get there alright.

"He is ground-dependent, he is a soft-ground horse. We just saw this race and said we'd see how he'd get on here. It's easy to plan after that. Hopefully it won't have taken too much out of him."

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