La Oliva pips Friday in a thriller

Conor Hoban completed a 440/1 Dundalk double when just getting La Oliva home by a short head from First Friday (6s this morning into 100/30 fav) in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Handicap at Dundalk.

Neither of the principals appeared to be exactly 'bursting a gut' to get to the finish line in front but it was the Paul Flynn-trained La Oliva that was marginally in front when it mattered most.

Hoban, earlier a winner on another outsider in Atlas Peak said: "She travelled sweetly but she didn't do a lot when she hit the front. It helped when Danny (Mullins) and First Friday came to me.

"It was tight but I thought I'd held on." Saint By Day was one of the fancied ones here as he attempted to supply Michael Halford and Shane Foley a treble.

He could only beat one home though and was subsequently found to be slightly lame on his near-fore. Foley said Saint By Day lost his action in the straight.

The trainer of Indian Arch Thomond O'Mara was fined 65 Euros for his failure to fit a tongue-tie to his horse before his charge entered the parade ring.(MG & EM)