Almadaa (rail) scores from Kimbay and Doonard Prince (outer)© Photo Healy Racing
Almadaa battled well to secure a narrow victory in the ISS Recruitment & Training Handicap at Naas.
Conor Hoban looked set to secure a quick double when Kimbay hit the front over a furlong out but he was edged out by Almadaa in the closing stages.
David Marnane 's charge, recording his sixth career victory, was held up but was driven into contention at the furlong pole.
He stuck on gamely, for Connor King, inside the final furlong to tackle Kimbay and record a head success.
Well supported 7/4 favourite Doonard Prince (from 5/2) finished strongly to take third, just a half length further back.
“He's a great old warrior and he comes up for us every year,” said Marnane of the winner.
“He's funny in that he's a five or six furlong horse on the all-weather but he needed every yard of that today.
“He's in over seven furlongs at Galway next Tuesday. Some of the owners are from Galway and he's run well there before.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
