Desert Romance from the Michael Halford stable held on for narrow victory in the Kill Handicap under a fine ride by champion apprentice Gary Carroll.

Carroll who was in front early had to work hard inside the final furlong to hold off the fast finishing Kalacan and Keagan Latham.

A delighted Halford said afterwards: “He battled really well and he loves the fast ground. He is improving with all his racing.”

“He ran terrible the last day, he came back and he was all wrong in himself. He is getting stronger all of the time.”

“We will stick at his game and hopefully we’ll pick up another one.”

“The owner Paul Redmond bought him as a two year old at the breeze up sale and it just took him a while to come right.”