Runners fight it out down the straight in the maiden hurdle at Listowel© Photo Healy Racing
The MSD Animal Health Maiden Hurdle at Listowel produced a terrific finish with Ted Veale just edging the verdict after a photo.
The race developed into a duel after the eventual winner joined front-runner Mumbo Jumbo at the second last flight.
Ted Veale got a better jump there, under Barry Geraghty, handing him the advantage but he was joined again on the run-in by his rival.
The pair flashed past the post locked together and only a nose seperated them at the death.
The Tony Martin-trained winner had finished third on his hurdling debut at Galway and had scored on the level at Sligo since.
The first two were sent off 7/4 joint favourites after both were backed from 5/2 on track.
“I thought he was going to win going to the last but he just got a little tired in the ground. Hopefully he'll come on for it,” said Martin afterwards.
“It was a great performance from the horse and it's brilliant for the man who owns him (John Breslin).
“They are great guys and are just home from America. They come home every year this time for the all-Ireland final so it couldn't have worked out any better.
“He's a nice horse and he'll be a far better horse on better ground. Hopefully, touch wood, he's a good one.”
Geraghty added:- “I thought when I jumped the second last really well I had it in the bag but the second horse rallied really well and made me work for it.”
(On course reporting by Donal Murphy)
