Gary Carroll and Joe Murphy© Photo Healy Racing
Dark Design stuck his head out gamely to just prevail in a thrilling three-way finish to the first division of the Irish Examiner Handicap at Killarney. Eloy D'amerval took them along after a couple of furlongs in the mile contest but was joined early in the straight by All Things Bright as Dark Design also pressed in between the pair.
There was little to choose between the trio inside the final furlong but it Dark Design who found more late on, for Gary Carroll, to edge the verdict by a neck.
All Things Bright just got the runner-up spot, a short-head in front of the long-time leader.
The stewards had a look with the 10/1 winner and All Things Bright coming close a couple of times in the closing stages but the result was unaltered.
Trainer Joe Murphy is enjoying a career best season and was saddling his 18th winner. He said afterwards:-
"He is a genuine horse at his level. He is a handicapper within his (ratings) box and we'll stay in this grade.
"We might let the young lad (Tom Kiely Marshall), who is based with me, ride him again and claim off him."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
