Andrew Nelis racing

The Abbey defied top weight of 10-2 to land the first split of the mile and six handicap in Killarney by the narrowest margin. The 9/2 joint favourite made good progress along the rail to hit the front racing past the furlong pole. He was soon ridden by Leigh Roche and kept on as Nudge The Judge joined issue in the final 100 yards. The pair fought their way to the line and The Abbey got the verdict by a nose from the 11/1 runner-up. Differentiate (17/2) finished strongly for third, half a length back. This gave trainer Gordon Elliott and across-the-card treble as The Very Man and Make My Heart Fly were successful in the National Hunt card at Roscommon in the afternoon.

Gordon Elliott doubled up at Kilbeggan with a victory in the bumper, however, it was with 20/1 shot Talk Of The Town not 8/13 favourite Geraldo. Geraldo picked it up under Jamie Codd approaching the home bend, but the pair were soon swamped by Talk Of The Town and Hugh McOwan. Talk Of The Town stayed on best in the final furlong to win going away by three and a quarter lengths from his more-fancied stablemate. This was a first track success for jockey McOwan who is 19 and from Co Kilkenny. Assistant trainer Ian Amond said: “It was a bit of a surprise; the other lad was the better fancied of the two, but he's won well. “He hadn't shown a whole pile at home, but he's gone and won well there. He's a fine, big horse and he'll come on plenty from that. “It's nice for Hugh to get his first winner. He's been with Gordon for a year now and he's a good young lad. He's a cousin of David Mullins.” Elliott's other winner on the card was Mengli...