High Altitude defied a drift in the betting to repeat last year's victory in the Sea Lodge Waterville Handicap at Killarney.

John Murphy 's charge had taken the mile contest on the same card last season to record his only previous victory.

On much softer ground this time he went to post an 11/1 shot having been 6/1 this morning.

Killian Leonard settled his mount towards the rear before coming to challenge a furlong-and-half from home.

The Papal Bull gelding gained a narrow lead passing the furlong pole and held Charcor at bay by a head after a good tussle in the closing stages.

The trainer's son George Murphy said afterwards:- “The ground was a little bit of a worry and not ideal for him but he is genuine and tough.

"We'll go for something similar next."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)