Exit Poll and Sean O'Keeffe (far side) jump the last upsides Embittered © Photo Healy Racing
The Ballymore Group Irish EBF Kilbegnet Novice Chase (Grade 3) attracted its customary small field but the market principals served up a stirring finish with Exit Poll (85/40) running out a game winner under Sean O’Keeffe.
The 7-year-old, a winner over further on his previous outing at Kilbeggan, made all and had seen off the challenge of the 5/4 favourite Bold Enough as he approached the final fence.
He was joined over the last by Embittered (16/5) but pulled out more on the run-in to deny that one by a neck.
It was a fifth career success, and a third over fences, for Jessica Harrington’s charge.
Winning rider Sean O’Keeffe said: “It was a good performance and he was very game. He stuck his head out really well for me from the back of the last.
“In fairness I needed him at every fence down the straight and he came for me every time, he was very good.
“He's probably a horse that will be better over two-and-a-half miles so that was a good performance today over two.
“He was just sticky at one but in fairness he did jump well. He's just taken a while to come with his jumping but he's very good now.
“It's great for the owners and it's great that Mrs Harrington put me up on him in this kind of race too.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
