Ideal Pal, left, toughs it out from Third World© Photo Healy Racing
Ideal Pal (3/1) outgunned odds-on-favourite Third World in the extended mile and a quarter rated race at Sligo.
Just three horses went to post for this 20,000 euro contest and Third World went off 1/2 favourite for Dermot Weld and Andrew Slattery.
It was Ideal Pal who hit the front from Scotts Honour on the approach to the straight as Third World tracked in third.
Ideal Pal was asked for more by Nathan Crosse off the bend as Third World loomed large on the outer.
Both horses came under the whip on the run to the final furlong but Third World couldn't get on terms and went down by half a length at the winning post.
Trainer Mick Mulvany said: “We came here throwing a dart. I was looking at the entries yesterday morning and there wasn’t too many in it, so I said we’d let him take his chance.
“I was hoping for rain all day as the ground was on the quick side for him. He’s a fine big genuine horse, and in time he should make a nice hurdler.
“It’s a great pot and I couldn’t understand why there weren’t more entered but I’m happy.”
The 53-rated Ideal Pal had to give 83-rated Third World 2lbb under the terms of this race.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
