The durable Almadaa is eight now, but there are more wins to come judged on his success under Connor King in the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Handicap. King had also landed the opener at the County Louth venue, on Viaduct Joey

Aboard David Marnane's 5/1 shot Almadaa, King was always to the fore, and he led at halfway. Ridden two furlongs out, the now six time winner on the polytrack, kept going gamely inside the final furlong to hold off Fastidious by a head.

Fastidious came through from the rear, having dwelt at the stalls, whilst Oor Jock the third placer, two lengths back, didn't get the run of the race, and he was never nearer than at the end.

"Blinkers help him and we let him use his action and make best use of the draw. We had been holding him up a bit before and it wasn't suiting him. He'll probably come back here for an apprentice race on the 1st of April," revealed Marnane.

G.J. Phillips, rider of Oor Jock trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount missed the break.

(AM & EM)