Iron Major prevailed in a bunch finish to the Caulfield Industrial Athlone Handicap at Galway.

It hasn't proved a profitable night for front-runners and Footprint was another grabbed close home as the field swamped him.

Iron Major stayed on best to score by half-a-length from Still Point Footprint eventually took fourth.

Trainer Eddie Lynam was not on hand to welcome back his winner, who was sent off 7/1 joint favourite with Footprint.

"You are either a hero or a zero around here!," said winning rider Johnny Murtagh afterwards.

"I had a lovely position and followed Fran (Still Point) the whole way. You can get stuck in a pocket here but thankfully today it worked out."

Gary Carson