Silk Cravat had to wait and switch about to get a clear run but Gary Halpin got him there in time to take the McGeogh's Bar & Restaurant Handicap by half a length at Dundalk.

Halpin didn't have to resort to the whip on the John Geoghegan stable debutant, on his first run since January 26th.

That was his final run for Ger Lyons and he won twice for the Glenburnie handler too — at Laytown in September, and at this venue in December. Here he touched off Lily's Prince

"He's a grand horse. He got a bit of a break after he came out of Ger's," said Halpin.

"They got him for John's brother Brian to have a bit of fun with. He's going to be a grand fun horse.

"He's a grand straight-forward type of horse and I'd the faster they go the better he'll be.

"He came out of a five star home and he's gone into another five star home."

(GC & EM)