Western City was backed as if defeat was out of the question in the concluding Dundalk Winter Series Leading Trainer & Jockey Championship Handicap, but the money went astray on the 1/4 shot as Gesture made virtually all.

Gesture, placed on three of his previous five starts, came under pressure well over a furlong out under Shane Foley but the 4/1 chance kept on very gamely to score by a length. Signor Ferrari kept on well inside the final furlong to take second with Western City, backed at all rates from 10/11 earlier in the day, finding no extra a further length away in third.

Winning trainer Eoghan O’Neill said, “He's tough and hardy. We hoped the step up in trip would bring out improvement and I think it did.

“He was second in Southwell last time and there are three winners that have come out of that race.

“Obviously the O'Brien horse was the one we were all frightened of but he's a bit more streetwise.

“We just wanted to get a win under his belt, and we'll see where we go from here. We'll probably wait for the grass as he's been busy enough over the winter, so I'll give him a chance.

“Shane felt that he might be better on the grass.”

Quotes by Gary Carson