Highest Benefit © Photo Healy Racing
Highest Benefit proved game in front to land the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase at Clonmel.
Darragh O'Keeffe had his mount to the fore throughout in the two-mile-seven contest and he had a couple of lengths advantage leaving the back straight. Kilbarry Calling looked a big danger going to the second last but Highest Benefit wasn't for passing. Cloudy Morning also stayed on to press the leader at the last but Willie Austin's charge found plenty as he went on to record a three-parts-of-a-length win at odds of 12/1.
9/4 favourite Cloudy Morning took the runner-up spot, half a length ahead of Kilbarry Calling.
Ten-year-old Highest Benefit was recording his first career success on his 25th attempt.
The winning rider said afterwards:- "I only wanted to be third of fourth but he jumped the first so well we just landed up there and I left him tip on from there and he jumped from fence to fence.
“He put his head down and galloped the whole way to the line.
"One or two of them came to us at the second last and the last but he was very good."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
