Kennedys Mor has plenty to do as Black Benny leads away from the last© Photo Healy Racing
There was a dramatic conclusion to the Dawn Omega Milk Handicap Hurdle, with Kennedys Mor snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
The John Murphy trained nine-year-old finished second in this contest twelve months ago, and he looked set to fill the runner-up spot again as Black Benny swept by him to lead before the last.
However Black Benny tired in the closing stages, and under a determined David Mullins (first winner since returning from injury) ride Kennedys Mor got back up to lead close home, going on to score by half a length in the colours of owner John Kennedy.
Black Benny (8/1) had to settle for second under Denis O'Regan for Shane Broderick, while Memories Of Milan (14/1) was four and three parts of a length back in third under Ricky Doyle for John Queally. Sizing Alberta was sent off the 9/2 favourite (from 11/2) and he finished a disappointing twelfth under Davy Russell for Colm Murphy.
John Murphy trains the winner and he was recording his second success at the Killarney July Festival, following on from the win of Rosin Box yesterday.
He said afterwards: "I was sure he was beaten and in fact I was walking out of the place where I watch it and thought he was a good second but he's a tough horse.
"We had this in mind for a long time and don't have a plan B."
Black Benny was matched at 1.01 on Betfair for E17,510, while there was E23 matched on Kennedys Mor at 1000/1.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
