Ideal Pal just got the verdict in a thrilling finish to the concluding nine furlong handicap at Gowran Park this afternoon. On The Balcony made a bold bid from the front and was tackled by Ideal Pal a furlong-and-a-half from home.

The pair were locked together inside the final furlong and the Mick Mulvany-trained gelding had his head in the right place at the line to gain a short-head victory at odds of 12/1.

Winning jockey Gary Carroll was recording a double on the card having also struck earlier on Collaborating

Mulvany said:- “I was expecting a good run but I thought the ground might be a bit on the lively side. I was expecting more rain here but he’s a good, honest, tough horse. 

“He’s entered at Leopardstown on Sunday and is third in the ballot so we might turn him out again. 

“He won three last year and is a good big horse that should make into a hurdler. He handles a bit of give in the ground and is only filling out. 

“We had him lined up for the beginning of the season and he got a little setback. The bit of a break helped him and he’ll come on for the run.” 

(Quotes by Alan Magee)