Halford tops and Hoban now joint leader

After his success on the strong 'jolly' Political Policy in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Race & Stay Package Handicap, Conor Hoban is now level on 15 winners apiece with Joseph O'Brien in the winter series on the polytrack which concludes tonight. Political Policy's trainer Mick Halford (18 winners) is top trainer of the campaign, beating Eddie Lynam (9) and Paul Deegan (8).

Hoban got the top-weighted Political Policy home by a length from chief market rival Fix It with a neck back to Tom Dooley and a further three parts of a length to the other Halford hope Mezogiorno who ran well to take the fourth spot.

Halford remarked: "He's very consistent and was a bit unlucky the last time when things didn't quite go to plan. "He got a lovely ride tonight from Conor and it opened up nicely for him. "He's a lovely genuine horse and it's great for the owner Frank Lynch who is a local man." (AM & EM)