River Derwent beats Eighty Eight © Photo Healy Racing
River Derwent won the second split of the 47-65 handicap at odds of 12/1.
Twice fifth since winning over course and distance in November, the Kingman gelding was fitted with blinkers for the first time and raced in rear of mid-division.
Donagh O'Connor asked him to improve on the stands' side from early in the straight and he was one of five horses in with every chance at the furlong pole. Gaining the upper hand in the final 100 yards, the six-year-old, owned and trained by Dick Donohoe, stayed on well to account for Eighty Eight by half a length.
Donohoe said: "His win in November worked out well. I reached for the blinkers today because he had lost five or six lengths out of the gates the last twice.
"He has come back off a lay-off today nice and fresh, and the rider was outstanding I thought.
"He is in again on Friday (in a claimer over the same distance) and that is the plan, we'll see what happens."
Quotes from Michael Graham
