Magnor Glory (left) joins Kells Priory at the last © Photo Healy Racing
Magnor Glory sent off one of four co-favourites at 11/2, took home first prize in the Dawn Milk Run Handicap Hurdle.
A dual winner over 2m1f, the six-year-old was settled behind the leaders by Shane Fitzgerald who had to switch his mount to the outer when a gap closed on him after three out.
The winner challenged Kells Priory over the last and soon gained a narrow advantage. Kells Priory didn't yield easily and a hard-fought neck was the winning margin for Terence O'Brien's gelding.
That will please the Carrigtwohill handler, also on the mark with Crescent Lake at Dundalk on Tuesday, as Magnor Glory had been raised a stone in the ratings for both a 16-length win at Wexford last year and a 17-length success at Ballinrobe in May.
O'Brien remarked: "We said we'd give him a break after his last run and come here before going to Galway. I didn't think he was 100% today but he is a funny horse to train and is very hard on himself.
"You can never do too little with him, Donal Macauley rides him at home and does a super job and keeps the lid on him.
"He has been fantastic for us and he'll run in the two-miles handicap hurdle on the Friday at Galway.
"The family are a bit emotional as Barry Walsh was involved with (owner) Joe Sheahan but died a fortnight before the horse won for the first time. Barry was a cattle dealer from Rathpeacon and this is a poignant moment."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
