Mizyen (green) and Manhattan Swing battle out the finish© Photo Healy Racing
Manhattan Swing just held on to take the Follow Kilbeggan On Facebook Maiden Hurdle, scoring under Robbie McNamara for Dermot Weld (completing a double on the day with Pale Mimosa earlier winning at York).
The son of Invincible Spirit disappointed on his debut over hurdles at Galway last month, finishing sixth when sent off the 15/8 favourite.
Sent off the 8/11 favourite this evening he tracked the leaders throughout and improved into second after the third last. He was soon pushed along and hit the front before the next.
He appeared to lose momentum on the run-in as Mizyen kept on well but the ‘jolly’ just held on to score by a head.
The aforementioned runner-up was returned a 4/1 chance under Roger Loughran for Dessie Hughes while Stynes (14/1) completed the placings a further twenty-two lengths back in third under Mark Bolger for John McConnell.
Robbie McNamara said afterwards: "He saves a bit for himself and he is a better class of a horse than that. I went to pop the last and he half pulled up on me. He had plenty in the tank but it takes a bit of work to get it out. He never travelled and he needs a better pace."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
