Ned's Indian (yellow & blue) prevails in tight finish© Photo Healy Racing
Ned's Indian made the most of getting in as reserve in the Diarmuid Cronin Electrical Handicap at Killarney.
5/1 shot Apache Gold made a bold bid from the front but was collared in the closing stages as the other market principals Maal and Ned's Indian finished well.
It was the well backed Ned's Indian (8/1 into 5/1) on the outer who proved best as he got up for a half length success under Colin Keane.
4/1 favourite Maal, who had come with a run on the rail inside the final furlong, just edged the runner-up spot from the long-time leader.
The Sabrina Harty-trained winner was gaining his second win from three outings this month having also scored at Gowran Park on his penultimate run.
“I was annoyed yesterday when he didn't get in but we got a phone call almost straight away. You never know when your luck is in,” said Harty.
“He's tough and is real athletic. He has schooled fantastically over hurdles but the jury is still out on whether he stays. It just turned too soft for him at Wexford last time.”
Keane added:- “I was drawn a bit wide but they went quick and I sat in and got a lovely lead. I pulled wide into the straight and he got a clear run the whole way and stayed going at it.
“I was confident inside the last furlong as he only really got going then.”
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
