Jon Ess wins with a little help from above

Conor O'Dwyer was thinking of his late weigh-room friend John Shortt after who Jon Ess is named after the three-year-old gelded son of Dragon Pulse came out on top in the Light Up Your Night At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

Pat Smullen did the steering on nicely backed 7/2 shot and he tracked the leader on the Brinkleys Syndicate-owned chestnut.

Jon Ess challenged a furlong out and he led under pressure a hundred yards out. He kept on well from there to beat Hailstone by three parts of a length.

Second favourite Settle For Bay raced towards the rear, he was pushed along in fourth approaching straight, before being eased two furlongs out and pulling up a furlong from home.

"We've been up here all winter so it's lovely to come on a nice evening!" said O'Dwyer.

"He's a straight forward horse and hasn't ever run a bad race. Handicapping is his job.

"He was probably unlucky the first night. We thought he'd run well but we hadn't him fully wound up and he just got touched off by a short head.

"He has deserved it. He tries every time and pops out great. He's just a straight forward simple type of horse.

"Pat liked him and he thought another furlong wouldn't be any harm to him.

"He's named after a great friend of mine, John Shortt, so that's made it all the sweeter. I think he was giving me a hand today — I needed it.

"We'll look for another handicap and see what the handicapper does. He's going to be a great fun horse for a great bunch of lads. It's a syndicate that's been very supportive of me so I'm thrilled.

"I've only had one winner here before, Daytime Dreamer, about six years ago. Hopefully we can come for a few more."

S. Foley, rider of Settle For Bay (FR), trained by David Marnane, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount lost its action behind and pulled up.

(GC & EM)