Gary Carroll (yellow and green silks) wins on Great Bear© Photo Healy Racing
Second half-an-hour earlier with Imposing Supreme, Tom Gibney struck in the Carrauntoohil Handicap at Killarney courtesy of the Gary Carroll-ridden Great Bear
Carroll gave the Tom O’Connor-owned Dansili gelding a fine front running ride, and the five-year-old ultimately gamely held No Thanks and Landa Beach by a neck and the same.
Grade One winning hurdler and uneasy favourite here, Jeff Kidder couldn’t find the required change of gear up the straight and ended up in seventh place.
The one for money against him, Tronador (11/2 into 3/1) was nearest at the finish in fifth.
Great Bear was returned a 17/2 chance whilst his stable companion Ballybaun Star (125/1 into 40/1) finished tenth.
"That was brilliant and I didn't expect it to be honest as it was a bit of a prep run for Galway and we thought he'd need it,” said Gibney.
“He is very tough and I'm delighted for the horse to get his head in front and delighted for his owner Tom O'Connor as he has been second a clatter of times for us.
"He ran some good races on the flat last year and the amateur handicap at Galway was the plan and we'll stick to that.
"He is class to do anything with, he is honest and tries and is a pleasure to train."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Mountain Fox trained by F.Oakes, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(TW & EM)
