Hartside is driven out by Ben Curtis to get the better of Marlos Moment© Photo Healy Racing
Hartside made it two from two for favourite backers as he completed his hat-trick in the McWilliam Park Hotel Handicap under Ben Curtis (first win for him at Ballinrobe) for Tommy Carmody.
The 3yo son of Montjeu was sent off the 4/6 favourite after winning easily at Tramore (August 20th) before following up at Wexford on Friday where he beat Mulleady by two lengths.
He had a much harder time of it today however as Marlos Moment pushed him all the way to the line.
The Andrew Tinkler owned winner settled in second but was driven along five furlongs out by Curtis giving his supporters cause for concern.
He responded well to pressure though and came with his challenge three furlongs out before hitting the front entering the straight.
He was narrowly headed by the Jim Culloty trained Marlos Moment under a furlong out but he rallied well to regain the lead in the closing stages and win by a neck at the line.
Marlos Moment had to settle for second at 3/1 under Chris Hayes while Second Glance was a further two lengths back in third. The Black Russian was withdrawn (no rule 4) at the start for refusing to load meaning just five took part in the 1m 6f contest.
Tommy Carmody said afterwards: "That was a grueller. It is his third win in two weeks and he’ll get a break now. The conditions were terrible but he doesn’t mind that ground and I knew he would keep going. It was worth the three hour trip to get here."
(On-course reporting by Eamonn Murphy)
