Raphael ran out a cosy winner of the mile claimer at Dundalk to give champion apprentice Gavin Ryan a winning return from injury.

Ryan was having his first mount since a fall at the venue at the end of November and made the perfect comeback.

Ado McGuinness' charge hit the front passing the two pole and the 5/4 shot soon had things under control.

The Roderic O'Connor gelding went on to post a length-and-a-quarter success over Point Reyes

Raphael was recording his third win since joining McGuinness and his second over course and distance.

Ryan said afterwards:- “I fractured my scapula here at the end of November and this is my first meeting back.

“Ado McGuinness and Dooley Thoroughbreds have always been great supporters of mine and they didn’t hesitate to put me back up today. I’m very grateful to them.”

Assistant trainer Stephen Thorne added:- “That was nice and it’s great to get the year off to a great start. He’s a horse that we’ve had quite a while and we just thought dropping back in this grade it would be nice to get a winner on the board early.

“He’s a good sound horse. The owners have reinvested in new stock and, if we still have him after tonight, we’ll find another opportunity in a claiming race. If not the best of luck to the next man who gets him.”

There was a 'friendly' claim for the winner while Anthony McCann also claimed back Togoville

(Quotes by Alan Magee)