The Real Article (right) too strong for Golden Sunbird (purple/yellow) and Parkers Mill (pink)© Photo Healy Racing
The Real Article produced a game front-running performance to land the concluding conditions race at Killarney.
Paddy Mangan bounced the smart hurdler out in front and he stuck to his guns well in the 1m6f event. Golden Sunbird threw down a challenge before the straight but couldn't match the eventual winner in the closing stages.
2/5 favourite Parkers Mill bidding to give Wayne Lordan and Tommy Stack a treble, settled last of the trio but failed to pick up when asked for an effort over a furlong out.
The Real Article asserted inside the final furlong to record a two-and-a-half length success.
Parkers Mill faded tamely, and failed to get past Golden Sunbird, who secured the runner-up spot.
The winner had some classy hurdles form to his name last season although was firmly put in his place behind Hurricane Fly at Punchestown on his final start.
"I spoke to Barry Geraghty beforehand and he told me to give him a breather four furlongs out," revealed Mangan afterwards.
"That was my first ride on the Flat properly. I did ride as a amateur out of the stalls here though."
Gary Carson & Thomas Weekes
