Chief Seattle (nearest) and Sittingonthefence battle out the finish© Photo Healy Racing
Chief Seattle under a power-packed Danny Mullins ride, made the breakthrough in the second divide of the Sweeney Oil Handicap Hurdle.
Second on his penultimate start at Kilbeggan, the John Ryan trained seven-year-old since finished seventh at Tipperary and was sent off a 5/1 chance this evening (from 15/2) with Mullins aboard for the first time.
Settled towards rear on the outer, the Casamento gelding made steady headway on the final circuit and jumped the last in fourth.
Soon ridden, he really got motoring from the furlong pole and hit the front inside the final 50 yards, going on to prevail by half-a-length.
The well-backed Sittingonthefence (11s to 5s) was the one just denied, with JJ Slevin aboard this Sonny Carey trained five-year-old.
The front-pair stretched eleven lengths clear of Rare Conor (9/1) and Colin Halpin in third.
Mullins said in the aftermath: "I was two lengths down jumping the last but still confident that, when I got stuck into him, I'd go and win. It took me maybe half a furlong longer than I thought to get there, but he did it nicely and can build on that.
"He's a very big horse and he's only starting to really learn his trade now.
"As a young horse he used to always give us a nice feel but hadn't transferred it to the track. He got a fair handicap mark and once he keeps his jumping slick he can win more.
"John has a team ready for Galway and he's not afraid to have a go at those bigger pots. Hopefully at Galway, and Killarney in August, we can nick a few more ones and it's important to be winning midweek as well."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Lady L'lerom trained by Shane Nolan, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
