Solitary Man is pushed out by Darragh O'Keeffe© Photo Healy Racing
Solitary Man justified strong market support, as he comfortably accounted for his four rivals in the Tote On Course & tote.ie Rated Novice Hurdle.
Campaigned solely at Killarney of late, the Enda Bolger-trained five-year-old was successful in handicap company on his penultimate outing and finished fourth behind Lucid Dreams on his latest start.
Available at 5/2 in early shows for this two-mile-six-furlong contest, the Champs Elysees bay eventually went off the clear favourite at 6/4.
After racing mainly in second under Darragh O'Keeffe, the Paul Shanahan-owned victor improved into a share of the lead on the approach to three out and soon got to the front.
Ridden clear before the final flight, he eventually came home five-lengths to the good, with Winning Smut (7/1) and Philip Byrnes filling the runner-up spot.
"I think he is a very exciting horse and will be a lovely chaser in time. The ground is beautiful for national hunt horses, we're very happy with him and he is learning his trade all the time," Bolger remarked.
"He was well-bought by Paul Shanahan, who owns him, from his breeder Kevin Doyle the Republic Of Ireland footballer."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
