Flicker Of Hope (near side) jumps the last with Backmersackme and Oscars Brother© Photo Healy Racing
Flicker Of Hope just came out on top in a thrilling three-way finish to the €100,000 Bective Stud, Tea Rooms And Apartments Handicap Hurdle at Navan to provide both Mark Fahey and Aidan Kelly with their most valuable success to date.
The 8/1 chance was making it four handicap wins from his last five starts having scored off a mark of 90 at Clonmel in May.
Kelly’s mount jumped to the front two out but was joined by both Backmersackme and well-backed 4/1 favourite Oscars Brother at the final flight.
The trio were neck and neck up the run-in and it took a close look by the judge to decide that Flicker Of Hope had touched off the always prominent Backmersackme by a short-head.
Oscars Brother was a further short-head away in third with Gaoth Chuil completing the places nine lengths back in fourth.
Fahey said, "Aidan was brilliant on him. He knows him well. Fine margins and it is a great pot to win.
"A young horse and he is a chaser in the making.
"Where we go next, we don't know. He probably won't go at Christmas time, we will try and see what is after Christmas for him. If there is something there at the Dublin Racing Festival, we will go there.
"He had the lightest weight in the race and is an improving horse. The bob of the head worked for us.
"I've won a couple of Grade 3 races and Listed races, but pot-wise this is the biggest pot I have won.”
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
