Sweet success for Kiln

Sweet Kiln put up a gutsy performance to get the better of Carraig Blue in the Mulhaddart Novice Hurdle after a dour struggle at Fairyhouse today.

The James Bowe-trained mare looked beaten when a length down jumping the last but she got up in the last 50 yards under Gary Hutchinson to deny Carraig Blue by a length.

Willie Mullins’ Our Ben, the even-money favourite, could never get in a blow and was a well-beaten third.

The first two fought out a tremendous battle over three miles in the testing conditions with Sweet Kiln leading her rival by two lengths in the early stages.

Carraig Blue went on a mile out but he could not shake off Sweet Kiln (11-8), who showed she stayed three miles well on her first attempt at the trip.

“We know she stays now and it was nice to see her get her head in front,” said Michael Bowe, son and assistant to his father.

“She loves that ground, which is typical of all our horses. She’ll go for the Deloitte Hurdle at Leopardstown early next month. We’re not thinking any further than that at the moment.

“The ground at Cheltenham would not be her cup of tea but we’ll see. There’s nothing set in stone.”