McGuigan continued his rich vein of form when making a lot of the running in the Fastfix Handicap at Dundalk under Gavin Ryan (his 15th winner).

A winner over this same extended mile and a quarter trip just before Christmas in the hands of Willie Byrne, Jim Bolger's chestnut then finished second on January 4th in a 45 to 65 heat.

Two pounds 'over' at eight stone seven, Ryan kept McGuigan (5/1 into 9/2) going well enough to hold favourite Stronghold (9/4) by a length and a half.

“That's great. He's rejuvenated up here this year - he seems to love it,” said Bolger's travelling head lad Ger Flynn.

“In fairness to the boss he's given all the lads a chance on him. Luke McAteer, Willie Byrne and now Gavin have all rode him.

“He teaches them a lot about race riding as he has to be kept up to his business.

“I'm delighted for Gavin as he had to put up 2lb overweight and it was a bit of a struggle. He certainly didn't look weak anyway.”

(GC & EM)