Noble Birth, centre, in contention at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Noble Birth stayed on best to take the spoils for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy in the stamina testing handicap hurdle over an extended three miles one at Ballinrobe. Slige Dala and Not So Simple raced one and two throughout and Noble Birth set after them on the climb to the top turn.
He got a dream split at the last between Slige Dala on the inner and Not So Simple who raced wide.
Noble Birth soon tackled Slige Dala upon touching down and led narrowly entering the straight. He still had over a furlong to negotiate, but was ridden to tough it out from Not So Simple who got a second wind in the closing stages.
The winner returned the 5/2 favourite and beat Not So Simple (15/2) by a length and a quarter. Slige Dala passed the post third, beaten five lengths by the winner.
Elliott said: "He did it well and Jack gave him a great ride. He stays well.
"All of mine ran well tonight but we thought this lad was our best chance, so we're happy."
The trainer also had a runner-up, two third places and a fourth on the card.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
