Racing: First Row just got the nod in a bobbing finish to claim the spoils in the richly-endowed Ladbrokes Midlands National at Kilbeggan this evening.
The Dessie Hughes-trained five-year-old was sent off the 4-1 joint-favourite for the €50,000 contest, but his backers have jockey Roger Loughran to thank as he never gave up, despite being hard at work from some four fences out.
Mullica Lad looked all over the winner as he swept through on the inside approaching the last, where Il En Reve, who had raced in the front rank virtually throughout with Emily Abby, finally gave way.
Loughran was not for being denied, however, and he chased the 8-1 chance all the way, just getting the verdict by a short head, with Il En Reve a brave third.
Hughes said: "It's lovely to be on the right side of that (photo-finish). He's only a small horse and I thought we were beat — he did well to get back up.
"He's in the Galway Plate, but he only has 8st 13lb and the weights won't go up. If he runs at Galway, it will be in the Blazers (Handicap Chase). He has been good to us."