Military Hill the 3/1 favourite, got up close home to land the claimer in Ballinrobe after 100/1 outsider Seeking Truth had made a bold bid for home.

Declan McDonogh set sail entering the home straight and looked to have poached the victory on Seeking Truth but Military Hill stayed on strongly in the final furlong to get up from Fox Dream who also did his best work late on.

There was half a length between Military Hill and Fox Dream (14/1) as Seeking Truth gave best late on. He was a further three parts of a length down.

Trainer Ado McGuinness said: "He's a bit of a monkey and Shane (Foley) said he didn't really want to win.

"He's very hard to win with though he's been consistent.

"I don't know where we'll go if he's not claimed and it's just nice to get a winner for Mr Gallagher who is a very good patron of mine."

This was Military Hill's 33rd racecourse appearance and his second victory. Foley hadn't partnered him since his debut at Cork in October 2015. Rise Again who finished fourth, was claimed by Sean Gallagher (winning owner) for 5,000 euro.

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy