The Shane Donohue trained Charlie Bear firmly put himself to the front of the shop window when running out the comfortable winner of the Elusive Pimpernel Maiden at Dundalk this evening, stretching clear in the closing stages to win under Leigh Roche.

The gelded son of Myboycharlie raced prominently throughout and in the end recorded a three and a half lengths win over Period Piece

Afterwards Donohue stated "the owners (Greatest Thing Syndicate) plan was to buy a few and sell a few and hopefully we'll get this lad sold.

"He had a bit of an infection in his back leg before the last day and I couldn't treat it. It was touch and go whether he would run and we decided to let him take his chance.

"They went steady last time which didn't suit but today they went a gallop and he was able to sit beside the other horse.

"He's a good hardy type. Leigh said it took him until halfway down the back to pull him up and he thinks he'll make into a real nice type.

"He's after turning inside out since his last run. I wasn't hard on him and there is a little bit of improvement in him and did it well this evening.

"His owners also have Sparklingsovereign (won here in October) and she'll come back here for a winner' race."

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson