Hardly surprisingly for an event of its kind there was a tight finish to the Naas Racecourse Launches The 2018 Flat Season Handicap. Medicine Jack (8/1 into 5/1) just emerged victorious under champion jockey Colin Keane.

Many held chances until late on in the six furlong contest but at the line the Ger Lyons-trained Medicine Jack had a head to spare over Smash Williams

It was then half a length back to last year's winner, Gymkhana in third place.

"The horses are as fit as we can have them at home," said Lyons after Sean Jones' four-year-old had prevailed.

"Part of me didn't want to run him and the other part said well we've had all of last season off . We literally couldn't get him to raise a gallop at home.

"He was a Group 2 winner but we gelded him at the end of the season and kept him going. His work was okay but was like we were seeing at two, without getting carried away.

"The only box we didn't tick today was the heavy ground but my theory is once they turn four I'm running them and if they don't handle it we won't ask them to do it again.

"The wheels are back on the wagon and we'll probably aim for that Listed race in Navan (Cork Stakes on April 7th). We'll see what the handicapper does and we'll tread lightly.

"If he gets back to any semblance of what he was at two we'll have fun with him this summer."

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Downforce trained by W. McCreery, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(GC & EM)