Get My Drift and Simon Torrens win the Cookes Bar Beginners Steeplechase © Photo Healy Racing
Get My Drift stayed on strongly from the second last to eventually overhaul leader Choice Of Words in the dying strides to land the Cooke's Bar And Restaurant Caragh Beginners Chase at Kilbeggan.
With a handicap mark of 130, the Mouse Morris trained seven-year-old had already shown a high level of ability since going chasing but he needed to be at his best here, as the runner-up looked to have slipped the field turning into the straight.
A slow jump at the final fence didn't help the mare, as it left the door open for the rallying second. To both horses credit, they gave it everything inside the last furlong but the J.P. McManus owned gelding just had enough to press on close home.
“That was grand, he had been knocking on the door for a good while,” said Frank Berry.
“I didn't think he'd be coming to Kilbeggan to win his maiden but that's the way it worked out.
“It's lovely that it's a new season to start him off anyway, he has a fair bit of experience.
“He made heavy enough weather of it but it's grand to get his head in front. He jumped reasonably well and got a grand ride from Simon.
“He'll hack away for the summer and we'll see where we end up.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
