Solitary Man and Darragh O'Keeffe© Photo Healy Racing
A model of consistency, Solitary Man recorded his fourth win at Killarney when taking the Lee Strand Novice Chase.
Second to the reopposing Reverend Hubert on his most recent outing at Punchestown, the Enda Bolger-trained victor was sent off a 3/1 chance this afternoon, taking a significant drop in trip.
Settled in second by Darragh O'Keeffe, the Champs Elysees six-year-old improved to dispute the lead three out and was ridden to the front before the next, with old foe Reverend Hubert crashing out there when close in third.
The Paul Shanahan-owned victor extended his advantage before the last and kept on strongly on the run-in, coming home eight-and-a-half lengths clear of the front-running Je T'ai Porte (12/1).
Returned the 2/1 favourite, Tipperary winner Bowmore was another length away in third.
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"I was worried about the distance and thought maybe he needed to go another round, but his jumping was slick. When Darragh sent him on turning-in, he knew he'd stay going," Bolger reflected.
"I was almost forced to run as there was nothing else (at longer distances) bar a race in Galway but there is a better programme for him after Galway. He flies around Killarney and there is a 2m6f race for him here in August."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
