Master Garvey and Robert Whearty lead home Spring Collection and Wayne Hassett © Photo Healy Racing
Master Garvey made the breakthrough on his 21st start, as he just held off the late rattle of Spring Collection in the concluding NSL Investments Handicap.
A fine third of 20 at the Curragh on Monday last, the Joe Murray-trained four-year-old was well-fancied to go a few places better this afternoon and went off a 3/1 chance.
Settled behind the leaders by Robert Whearty, the Patrick Sheridan and John Lynch-owned victor made good progress early in the straight and swept through to lead with two-furlongs left to go.
Soon ridden clear, his advantage was rapidly reduced inside the final furlong, as he just clung on to prevail by a head.
Returned at 50/1, Spring Collection ran his best race to date to fill the runner-up spot on what was his turf debut, while Chicago Storm (4/1) was all of five lengths back in third.
Sent off a well-backed 9/4 favourite (11/2 early), Atbay finished fifth.
"It's a nice winner and nice to get it," Murray's wife Lisa commented.
"He was third in the Curragh last week, he ran well and it brought him on so we were hopeful today.
"He likes the ground, which was a big help. We've had a good few seconds here at Naas so it's nice to break the duck.
"We'll probably run him again soon enough as he likes that ground, we'll see what the handicapper does."
STEWARDS REPORT
Chloe Byrne, rider of Man Is King trained by Thomas Dowling, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that she eased her mount close to the line as she felt her mount was going to run short of room .
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
