Split The Atom takes Dundalk honours

Split The Atom was a very warm order for Dundalk's claimer and the money spoke as Oisin Orr drove him home by half a length.

The top weight was an 11/4 chance in the morning but sustained support saw him open at 6/5 before being returned the even-money favourite.

Orr held him up in eighth as Pillar led the way in this six-furlong race.

Split The Atom took closer order a furlong and a half down and was soon ridden to close on Master Bond who had battled his way to the front.

The favourite had too much for Master Bond as he powered past him inside the final furlong and was ridden out to repel the staying-on Burn The Boats (6/1).

Master Bond kept on for third, a further two and a half lengths away, at 11/1.

“He's been running very consistently in much better races so he's entitled to win that I suppose,” trainer David Marnane said.

“The two form horses fought it out. If he's claimed he's claimed. If not, he'll come back for another claimer in two weeks time.”

This was Split The Atom's sixth career victory, all of which have come on the sand at Dundalk.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson