There was a thrilling end to proceedings at Limerick with just a nose separating I Started A Joke (8/1) and Road Exile in the Doherty Woodshavings Flat Race.

The pair had a great final-furlong tussle with Ray Barron's mount inclined to edge right as he gained a narrow advantage but, with the rail to help, Road Exile rallied gamely in the final strides to go down by the minimum margin.

Charles Byrnes trains the winner for the Kate Costello & Brothers Syndicate and said: "He did well in a schooling race in Tipperary a couple of weeks ago and we always thought he was a nice horse.

"Jack Bennett had done all the early work and point-to-pointed him, and then we got him. The point-to-point in which he finished fourth has worked out very well and there are a lot of winners from the race.

"He is a fine horse and is definitely one for the future. I'd say we'll stay in bumpers for now."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes