The Ger Lyons trained Vale Do Sol justified favouritism as he took the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

A winner on his penultimate start at Navan the Sean Jones owned gelding was second to Pullman Brown on his most recent outing at Gowran.

Available at 9/2 in a place this morning the son of Vale Of York touched 5/2 on-course before going off the 9/4 market leader.

Settled on the inside in fourth he was pushed along to lead from the two furlong pole.

He was soon ridden and kept up the gallop inside the final furlong, keeping on well to win by a length and three parts under Colin Keane.

Top-weight Tooreen Legend (8/1) finished second under Joseph O'Brien for Tommy Stack while Maudlin Magdalen (13/2) was a further three lengths back in third under Ian Queally for Donal Kinsella.

Shane Lyons, representing his brother Ger, said afterwards: "That was a good performance. He ran into one the last day.

"He's a great horse to travel and he won with a bit in hand there. He's off to the sales now.

"He's a fine big horse. He has plenty of pace, stays a trip and likes a cut in the ground. I think he'll make a good jumper."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson