Pearl Warrior fends off a closing Red Gerry© Photo Healy Racing
Pearl Warrior made every yard to bring up his hat-trick in the mile and a half handicap at Listowel.
The three-year-old gelding, who is by 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden, availed of a light weight of 7st 13lb with Andrew Slattery's claim factored in.
He was niggled along by Slattery approaching the home bend and was ridden to go and win his race over a furlong out.
The 3/1 favourite toughed it out in the final furlong from Red Gerry (4/1) who closed to within half a length at the line. Halimi was two and three quarter lengths away in third at 8/1.
Johnny Murtagh said: "The owner was pressing me to run him in this race and I said 'would we not keep him for the 0-80 handicap later in the week', but he goes 'Johnny, it's 50 grand!'
"I entered in both and said we'd make a decision nearer the time and he had a low weight, claiming 5lbs off him and he is just on the improve and has really hit a rich vein of form.
"Andy said he travelling along in front and when a horse came to him he felt like he picked up himself, got a little idle in front but he is one of these horses who eats and sleeps at home. Paddy (Woods, owner) comes in and rides him out three days a week and picks the races for him, so it's pretty easy to train him.
"I don't think he'll run later in the week, he had a hard race there and maybe if we give him a break we might bring him back for something like the Naas November Handicap."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
