Willyconker game in front in nursery

Willyconker produced a game front running performance to see off the persistent challenge of Smoky Cloud in the nursery at Dundalk.

The pair were at the head of affairs throughout and had a good battle in the final furlong with Gary Carroll's mount just getting the verdict by the narrowest of margins.

"He's lucky little horse and he'll be better next year - he's a bit weak," said winning trainer Austin Leahy.

"When he won two weeks ago I was going to pack him away but he came out of it so well I decided to run him again.

"Unfortunately there is nothing here until the end of February so I might take him to Wolverhampton in the spring."