Cadatharla narrowly defeats Willie Mullins favourite to capture Killarney National

Cadatharla denied the Willie Mullins-trained Paggane by the narrowest of margins following a photo-finish in the Tote Killarney National.

The seven-year-old just held on to score by a nose from the 11-4 joint-favourite for Colm Murphy and Gavin Brouder, with Happy Jacky in third.

"He rubbed a few of his fences but never lost much momentum," Brouder told Racing TV. "He measured the last a bit awkwardly and lost a couple of lengths but toughed it out well. After unseating me at Punchestown, he gave me a great spin this time around and his jumping was decent."

Cadatharla secured a double on the card for JP McManus, who won the 2m5f mares' beginners' chase with Birdie Or Bust. The Henry de Bromhead-trained seven-year-old justified favouritism under Mark Walsh when cruising seven lengths clear of Media Naranja on her fourth start over fences.

Narrow victory

Stormalong caused a minor upset in the Listed 2m1f mares' hurdle when beating the 13-8 favourite Royal Hollow by three-quarters of a length. 

"She's tough and genuine," jockey Darragh O'Keeffe said of the 9-1 shot. "She loves a bit of nice ground. The runner-up put up a bold show and kept us honest at the last. She put her head down and galloped out to the line. She travelled really sweetly and jumped well. This is a great race to win."

Trainer Ken Budds added: "I was very confident driving down. She's a good-ground mare and when she hit the better ground she started motoring. Her last couple of runs were good and she's tough. She's shown a great attitude."

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