Muraabit, stars, pips Beechmount Whisper, red sleeves© Photo Healy Racing
David Marnane's Muraabit came out on top of a battle with Beechmount Whisper to take the spoils in the mile and two handicap for three-year-olds at Navan.
The performance was all the more meritorious because the colt missed the break by a couple of lengths before being pushed into mid-division on the rail by Connor King.
He soon improved into eighth with seven furlongs left. At this stage Tagg's Island raced with a clear lead.
Tagg's Island came under pressure inside the three pole and was passed by Beechmount Whisper and Chaplain Bay. Muraabit was switched out and moved into fourth.
Muraabit came through to challenge Beechmount Whisper with a furlong and a half to race. The pair were locked together in the final furlong with Muraabit getting up to win on the line by a short head at 20/1. The runner-up was an 11/1 chance.
Duke Of Medinah (16/1) and Lake Champlain at 25/1 completed the places in third and fourth respectively.
Connor King said: "He goes in last and just missed a beat at the start. He's still green and raw but he picked up every time I gave him a slap.
"He'd been running well at Dundalk but was crying out to go on turf. He'll probably get a mile and a half."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
