Katakana registers first Irish win in impressive fashion

A dual bumper winner in France, the Henry De Bromhead trained Katakana belatedly registered a first success in this country when easily landing the Leugh Handicap Hurdle at Thurles.

Having switched between hurdles and fences, the five-year-old mare had managed no closer than third in eight Irish starts prior to today.

Sent off 11/1 under Darragh O'Keeffe, Katakana travelled strongly in the first half dozen throughout. Going third entering the home straight, the mare came through to head leaders The Border Boy and Getaway Henry after the penultimate flight.

Soon stretching clear, Katakana beat the staying on runner-up Midnight Eagle by five lengths.

Darragh O'Keeffe said: "Today is the first day she did everything right, as she had been quite hard on herself. I lined up second-row and a few got away ahead of us but she settled and got into a good rhythm. I was even slowing her down, she jumped the second-last well and I let her go on then.

"We always hoped she'd be capable of doing something like this and I think today's ground brought about plenty of improvement in her.

"It is great for her owner Duncan (Angrove) and it worked out great today.