John Murphy recorded his first winner of the flat season as his Crecora just prevailed in the Killarney Avenue/Munster Joinery 3yo Handicap.

The son of Papal Bull was making his handicap debut this evening and he proved friendless with punters starting at 8/1 this morning, opening on track at 10's before drifting out to 14's at the off.

Having his first start of the season the chestnut gelding was held up towards the rear throughout and he was ridden four furlongs from home.

He stayed on into fourth two furlongs out before coming with his challenge under Seamie Heffernan with a furlong left to race.

He had a ding-dong battle with Port Merrion from there and the judge was needed to separate them at the line with a nose the winning margin.

The aforementioned Port Merrion was sent off the 13/8 favourite under Fran Berry for Jessica Harrington.

John Murphy, who had a winner over hurdles at Tipperary last weekend, said afterwards: "My horses have been slow in coming to hand this year.

"He will go for another handicap and he may go hurdling at the end of the year."

The winner was purchased by owner Leo McCabe, who has a number of pubs in Cork, for just €2,600 as a yearling at Goffs in February of 2012.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee