Tequila Lord leads over the last with eventual winner Zaralabad on the outside© Photo Healy Racing
The Charlie Swan trained Zaralabad landed a gamble and provided his rider Paul Carberry with a double (won the first aboard Court Lexi as he got up close home to deny Tequila Lord in the Join The Tote Go Racing Club Handicap Hurdle.
A smart performer on the level, Zaralabad was having just his fifth start over hurdles and his second in handicap company.
He won two on the level in August of last year before making his seasonal reappearance and handicap debut over hurdles at Cork last month where he finished a well beaten twelfth behind Doctor Henry.
Having opened at 8/1 this afternoon on track, the 8yo son of Fantastic Light was gambled into 4/1 favouritism at the off.
Given a patient ride by Carberry, he was settled towards the rear before making progress from the third last flight.
He was ridden in pursuit of the leaders on the home straight and was a close second at the last.
He then stayed on best on the run-in to catch Tequila Lord close home and score by a length at the line.
The 10yo Tequila Lord had to settle for second under Bryan Cooper and Moses McCabe at 9/1 while Delphi Mountain for double seeking Denis Hogan was a further length and a half back in third at 12/1. Markey Cee completed the placings a further five and a half lengths back in fourth for the father and son team of Pat and Tony Kelly at 33/1.
Paul Carberry now joins Ruby Walsh with nine winners apiece at the top of the leading jockey standings.
