"He did it well. It was a bit tight and we had to wait for the gap to appear. That's his grade and trip. He carries weight well and we'll keep him going here.

"Shane's riding well and he knows him very well," so said Michael Halford after Alvar had defied top-weight under Shane Foley in division one of the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap at Dundalk.

Now three times a winner here, the victorious American-bred didn't enjoy a clear run early in the straight.

A gap opened for the 9/4 favourite a furlong out and the five-year-old stayed on well to get up and beat Esytopolishadimond by a neck. (MG & EM)