Ibergman beats Cailin Mor© Photo Healy Racing
The Sheila Lavery-trained Ibergman stuck on gamely to get home in the fillies handicap over a mile at Navan. Back On Top hit the front over two furlongs out in the €20,000 contest but couldn't hold the final furlong charge of Ibergman.
The Ronan Whelan-ridden filly then had to dig deep in the closing stages as Cailin Mor stayed on strongly to get within a neck at the line.
The 11/2 winner was recording her second win of the year having landed a maiden at Galway and she had subsequently finished third on her handicap debut at Ballybrit earlier in the month.
Lavery trains the winner for her brother John and said afterwards:- "She was a bit unbalanced coming down the hill but really picked up on the rising ground. I was very hopeful going into the race. I was really pleased to see the rain yesterday.
"She kind of needs a rider that knows her as she dropped herself out. Ronan then thought he hit the front a bit soon.
"I do think she needs an ease in the ground. She rolls around a bit. I'll maybe look for somewhere not so downhill.
"She's in the mares' sales at the end of November and I'd love to pick up something before that."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
