Apache Outlaw confirmed the promise of a couple of placed runs here last month when taking the featured Happy Christmas From All At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

The son of Churchill was a smart juvenile for Joseph O’Brien when winning a Fairyhouse maiden and placed in the Group 2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh before joining Ado McGuinness this summer.

The 6/1 shot quickened up nicely on the stands’ side rail to lead over a furlong out and was driven out by Declan McDonogh to hold off Pier Pressure by a head.

The winner’s stablemate Hodd’s Girl was a length and three quarters back in third.

McGuinness said, "It is great for the lads and Jim Fairhurst. The Dooleys had a winner last week (Comfort Line).

"I think this horse will improve, we will have good fun with this horse next year. We stepped him up today and I think seven is better for him than six.

"Declan rode him in the Phoenix Stakes (Group 1 at Curragh), so he is a classy enough horse. We got him right and he seems to enjoy life now.

"He'll get a bit of a break and we will bring him back. I think we will have a lot of fun with him next year - he will be a nice premier handicap horse on turf next year."

On Hodd's Girl he added: "She didn't get a clear run, she was a little bit unlucky. Seamie said she is a good animal. She'll get her day, that's for sure."

Quotes by Michael Graham