The Winkler came out on top in a driving finish to Galway’s bumper involving Like It A Lot and gave trainer Eoin Doyle a Ballybrit double.

Both horses had contrasting fortunes in the betting market with The Winkler backed from 7/1 to 9/2 while Like It A Lot took a walk out to 12/1 from an initial 7/1.

The Winkler set sail for home a furlong from the finish, however, Like It A Lot came with a rattling run to hit the line in unison with The Winkler. He lost by a nose.

The 9/10 favourite Harvey Logan kept on for third without bothering the front two.

Jockey Kevin Sexton said: “He’s only a four-year-old and he’ll be a good horse in time and he’ll make a proper chaser.”

This was The Winkler's second bumper success having scored in Killarney in May. Eoin Doyle was at the horses in training sales in Newmarket today. He had won the previous race in Galway with Count Salazar

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes