Much of the pre-race attention focussed on County Wexford in the Champions Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Handicap, but it was the other last time out winner in the line-up, Roter Baron that followed up for Eamonn O'Connell and Declan McDonogh.

Up five pounds for his course and distance success a fortnight back, Roter Baron headed the strongly-backed 6/4 favourite, County Wexford, a furlong out.

In the end he held on by half a length from the strong-finishing Chatterton who didn't get the run of the race. County Wexford was the same distance back in third.

"We may go on grass with him after tonight-maybe in four weeks time or so, when we get a bit of nice ground. He can always come back here in time," suggested O'Connell in the aftermath.

C.D. Hayes, rider of Coach Bombay trained by Adrian Brendan Joyce, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.

(AM & EM)