Ross Coakley narrowly lost out earlier on the card aboard Set To Fire and he got a bit of compensation later on when Rigid Rock (16/1) prevailed in division two of the Kilkenny Handicap.

Six previous wins for the Refuse To Bend gelding, had been achieved over five and six furlongs, but here over seven the now eight-year-old got the job done by half a length and the same from Apache Gold and Jealika

"At this trip now it just gives him a chance to travel - I'd suppose his legs are just not as quick now at the age he is," said Coakley of the Ado McGuinness-trained victor.

"He definitely still has the ability and the heart though.

"I travelled away well into it but Donnacha (O'Brien on Apache Gold) picked up and left me with a bit to do. In those no whips races it's always hard to make a bit of ground.

"In the last half furlong he was sticking his head down and Donnacha's lad was starting to come back to me a small bit.

"I just kept the head down and kept driving and we got there in the end." Avalanche was soon out of contention, finishing a completely tailed off last, but his saddle slipped.

Gary Paul Halpin, rider of Avalanche (GB), trained by T.J. O'Mara, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his saddle slipped shortly after jumping from stalls and he collided with the running rail and was eased.

(AM & EM)