The fall three out of 5/4 favourite Grand Roi in third at the time, left the 2m5f beginners' chase to be fought out between the Henry de Bromhead-trained pair Secret She Keeps and Amirite
The outcome was in the balance all the way up the straight before Rachael Blackmore managed to force Amirite (6/4) to the front in the final strides to deny longer-priced stablemate Secret She Keeps by a nose.
A winner over hurdles at Kilbeggan in the spring, the Sholokov gelding had won his only start in point-to-points for Pat Doyle almost a year ago to the day at Loughrea.
“I'm delighted with that, they both ran really well. The winner was brilliant and I'm delighted for the Hales who are all here, which is great,” said de Bromhead.
“He's a lovely horse and he was always a chaser in the making.
“Secret She Keeps has been disappointing but we opted to go over fences and she loved it. Sean gave her a super ride. She's exciting as well and they are two nice horses. They both jumped really well.
“Amirite stays well and I'm not sure what we'll do yet with him. We'll enjoy today and see. There wouldn't be many staying novices, there is the one in Punchestown (Grade 2 Florida Pearl).
“The mare will obviously go for a beginners again.”