After just failing by a head here a fortnight back, there was nobody begrudging Carvelas his success tonight in split two of the Matthews.ie Trip To Cheltenham 2018 Handicap at Dundalk.

Up in trip to a mile and half, and with talented 7Ib claimer Ben Coen taking the reins, Carvelas justified the faith of those that backed him from 6/1 into 5/1.

Sweet-travelling Miss Mirabeau looked like she might deliver until push came to shove. Carvelas and Miss Mirabeau were separated by a length at the line. Spinning Pearl and Lamh Ar Lamh both finished off well, for third and fourth positions.

"He ran a great race the last day. Turning in last time I thought he was going to get beaten by half the track but he just stayed going and going," said Murphy.

"We ran him over a mile-and-a-half before so we said we'd step him up again and kept him fresh.

"He's a very genuine horse and loves it. That's probably one of his best runs.

"Things are going well at home. We put in a new five-furlong woodchip gallop about 18 months ago and they are all running well off it."

(GC & EM)