Bangalore edges verdict for McCourt

Bangalore Diamond just edged a thriller in the six furlong handicap at Dundalk.

4/1 favourite Pre Tax Profit was keen to make the running, under Niall McCullagh, but was joined in the straight by Bangalore Diamond (5/1).

Ben Curtis 's mount had to work hard as the front-runner proved a tough nut to crack but was just ahead as the pair flashed past the post together.

The stewards had a look after the rivals came close late on but the result stood with a head seperating the pair.

"He's an awful lot better on his home work and has loads of ability. Now that he's got his confidence he might go the right way," said winning trainer Tom McCourt.

"He needs good ground and five or six furlongs. He didn't get seven the last day when we made too much use of him.

"He'll be kept going during the winter here and if it doesn't dry up he'll get a bit of a break before that.

"We could do with a few more meetings here. It's tough for anything that wants good ground at the minute and nearly everything I have, jumps and Flat want good ground."