Rashaan (nearest) is ridden out by Niall McCullagh to beat Dalmatia© Photo Healy Racing
Rashaan just got the better of Dalmatia in the last at Gowran, the Live Music After Racing Sunday September 18th Maiden.
The Colin Kidd trained four-year-old, who is a Grade 3 winner over flights, was last seen finishing thirteen of twenty in the Galway Hurdle.
The chestnut gelding is however a flat bred horse, and having just his second run on the level this evening, he justified favouritism under Niall McCullagh.
Settled in second, he was pushed along to challenge the front-running Dalmatia from the two furlong pole.
The duo had a great battle from a furlong out, with Rashaan just getting up to prevail by a nose at the odds of 11/8.
Dalmatia, who was backed from 4/1 to 11/4 on-course, had to settle for second under Kevin Manning for Eddie Harty, while Taqaseem was six lengths back in third.
Colin Kidd said afterwards: "He got a fright in the Galway Hurdle going down to the first, and just wouldn't have the same experience as a lot of those handicappers.
"He lost his confidence and this was a good opportunity to get him back. On his hurdle form he was entitled to win it.
"That will leave him spot on for Listowel. He'll be entered in the Lartigue Hurdle and will probably get top-weight
"He rattled off that ground, and will tip away as long as the ground is not heavy. He could even go to Dundalk."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
