Downey doubles up on Poitin at Dundalk

There were only five runners in the concluding Dundalk Winter Series Awards Rated Race, but it certainly provided an exciting finish. Shes No Joke looked a possible winner for a time, in her first-time cheek-pieces, after leading around three furlongs out.

However eventual victor, Poitin and runner-up, Windward Passage were really finding top gear from over a furlong out.

Robbie Downey, bringing up a double, after his earlier victory on The Dancing Lord soon got Poitin to the front.

The 5/4 favourite was game from there home, to hold Windward Passage, by half a length.

Successful trainer Keith Clarke said: "She's improved again and it was the right race to go for.

"There was no gallop early on but she showed her class by quickening up well.

"Her bloods were right but I was a bit worried that she was so calm. When she came into the ring though, she came alive. I knew she was on song then." (AM & EM)