Chally Chute and Ronan Whelan near win the William Hill Handicap at Killarney. © Photo Healy Racing
Chally Chute made it three wins from his last four starts when getting on top inside the final furlong to take the William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Handicap at Killarney.
The Fast Company gelding was winning for the first time under the joint licence of Michael Halford and Tracey Collins, having raced for the former last term.
It was also a step into the unknown with regard to the trip, as all his previous successes had some over middle distances.
If anything, the extra distance played to his strengths here, with the five-year-old needing most of it to get the better of Black Hawk Eagle
It was a third winner of the July festival for jockey Ronan Whelan who rode a double on Monday evening.
Michael Halford said: "The whole objective of tonight would be to see would he stay. It was steadily run and I think he stayed. He has a big heart and it was a good performance under top weight.
"I'll talk to the owners but he'll go to Galway now for either the amateur handicap or a 1m4f handicap on the Friday night. I didn't want to chance him on quick ground but was keen to get a run into him before Galway and he had a nice blow."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
