Ablaze just holds on in thrilling opener

The opening premier nursery at Dundalk produced a thrilling finish as All Ablaze just held on after a three-way photo.

Rory Cleary was keen to get to the lead on the Antonius Pius colt and was pressed for much of the trip by Almanack

He appeared to be getting the better of that rival over a furlong out and just drifted over to the rail as he went a length clear.

Almanack switched out and stayed on again inside the final furlong to join his rival close home.

Meanwhile Wexford Opera finished best on the outer to make it a three-way photo at the post.

The judge gave the verdict to All Ablaze by short-head with Alamanck second, just a head in front of Wexford Opera.

The winner was sent off an unfancied 16/1 shot, having drifted from 8/1 this morning, despite coming into the race off a victory at Bellewstown last month.

Damian English trains the winner for his father Joseph and said afterwards:-

"Words can't explain what this means. I bought him this time last year for €1,000.

"I was the underbidder for his sister the other day and I'm just sorry now that I didn't go that bit extra for her.

"He missed three weeks with a virus before he won the last day at Bellewstown and we gave him a few weeks off after that.

"We planned this as we think he's best fresh. Bellewstown made a man of him. He'll probably come back here in about a months time."

The horse for money in the race was the Tommy Stack-trained Dylanbaru stable-mate of the runner-up, as he was supported on track from 4/1 into 9/4 favourite having been 5/1 in the morning.

He didn't help his chances by missing the kick and then didn't enjoy the best of passages in the straight, eventually finishing fifth.

Runner-up Alamanack had been very easy to back, trading at 9/2 this morning and being sent off 8/1 on track.

(On course reporting by Alan Magee)