© Photo Healy Racing
The Henry de Bromhead-trained Whacker Clan made virtually all to take the final day feature at Tramore, the McCarthys Irish Bar Lexington Handicap Chase.
Twice successful last year and third on his most recent start at Wexford in June, the Westerner seven-year-old was sent off a 7/1 chance (from 12s) this afternoon.
Soon in front under Rachael Blackmore, he jumped well throughout and while strongly pressed and joined from two out, he battled gamely on the run-in, prevailing by half-a-length in the colours of the Whacker’s Clan Syndicate.
Returned at 14/1, Lake Chad finished a gallant second under Brian Hayes for Philip Fenton, while the easy-to-back Inclusion (5/2f from 5/4) was another three-parts-of-a-length back in third.
Successful on Thursday evening, Rotten Row (7/2) had to settle for fourth in the colours of race sponsor Roddy O'Byrne.
"I'm delighted with that and it's always lovely to win a race here. It's extra special to win Roddy O'Byrne's race and it's great to win it for all the Halley's as we aimed for this race," de Bromhead enthused.
"Rachael was masterful on him, she got the fractions to perfection and was just brilliant. It wasn't necessarily the plan to make all, we just wanted a good gallop, as all he does is stay.
"We were a little bit concerned about the ground, but he handled it well in the end.
"We will keep him going now and it's just great to win this race today for local owners."
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