Stuccodor (nearest) nabs Hot Bed© Photo Healy Racing
Stuccodor lunged late to record a quick double for Pat Smullen and Dermot Weld at Killarney. Hot Bed looked set for victory when hitting the front at the two pole, in the mile handicap, but was chased down inside the final furlong.
Stuccodor got going in the closing stages to peg back his rival in the shadow of the post, recording a head success.
The winner had to wait for a gap at the furlong pole but once he saw daylight the Modigliani gelding answered the call in good style.
Stuccodor was sent off 7/2 favourite in a competitive looking heat and was following up on a Leopardstown success last month.
"I had to sit and bide my time but when he got out I was always confident he would get there," said Smullen afterwards.
"With the quite testing ground his stamina came into play and that's what won it for him.
"He gets that trip well and a step up in distance again will probably help him."
Smullen and Weld has also teamed up to land the opening conditions race with Tandem
(On course reporting by Alan Magee)
