Gutsy Rocky jumps the last ahead of Draco© Photo Healy Racing
Danny Mullins took the feature at Killarney for the second day running as he guided Gusty Rocky to victory in the Killarney Grand Live Music Venue Handicap Hurdle.
The Pat Flynn trained six-year-old won his maiden hurdle at Tramore last August but disappointed on his next two starts.
He finished fifth to Punch Bag on his last start at Limerick and he went off a 15/2 chance today.
Having chased the leader throughout he was squeezed for room turning into the straight, and stumbled badly.
He quickly regained his composure and came through to the lead at the second last, keeping on well under pressure on the run-in to score by half a length. Draco who was backed from 9/2 to 7/2 on-course, couldn't reel in the winner and had to settle for second under Barry Geraghty for Aidan O'Brien. Heartbreak City (7/1) was a further seven and a half lengths back in third under Paul Carberry for Tony Martin while the 5/2 favourite Tadem was half a length away in fourth. Coolmill who attempted to make all, crashed out at the last when third.
Danny Mullins said afterwards: "It was a good performance and he was 'done' turning in but was good and sharp to get through the gaps.
"Pat (Flynn) said not to be hard on him if he was beaten but in fairness to him he had him spot on."
The winner is out of top race mare Liss A Paorigh who won seven times including two Grade One's.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
