Winning rider Phillip Enright© Photo Healy Racing
The Grade B Charles Hurst DS Handicap Hurdle produced a thrilling finish, with Nibiru just coming out on top under Phillip Enright for Tony Martin.
A versatile performer, the son of Casamento was successful over flights at Navan on his penultimate start, finishing third on the level on his most recent outing.
Sent off an easy-to-back 13/2 chance (7/2 in early shows), the seven-year-old was settled in rear, making good progress on the outer from the third last.
Ridden in third from the next, he found another gear on the run-in, getting up in the dying strides to prevail by a short head.
.Watch The Weather (8/1) and Pinkerton (10/3f from 7s early) were both far from fluent at the last and ultimately had to settle for second and third respectively, with just a head between them at the line.
"He has plenty of ability and a little bit of a mind of his own. Everyone gets a bit fed up with him at times, but on his day he's very good," Martin said of the John Breslin owned victor.
"Phillip was very good on him today and it worked out great.
"He has earned his keep again.
"Exactly (best when he gets a lead for as long as possible), he doesn't like getting crowded - he wouldn't be great in Croke Park and definitely not in Lansdowne Road!"
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Ebasari trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Pats Choice trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
