Numidia and Rory Mulligan lead home their rivals© Photo Healy Racing
Second in the feature with Joupe Peter Lawlor struck gold with Numidia in the first divide of the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap.
A six-length winner over a mile and a half at Fairyhouse in June, the Estidhkaar six-year-old was a solid fourth to Trishuli River on his most recent visit to Dundalk.
Sent off a 5/1 chance this evening, the 60-rated bay was settled in second by Rory Mulligan, improving to lead on the approach to the straight.
Soon pushed along, the now three-time winner responded well when ridden with over a furlong to go and he eventually came home two and a half lengths to the good.
Returned at 25/1, Hijo De La Luna filled the runner-up spot under Luke McAteer, while Tomahawk King (13/2) was a neck away in third.
From 7s early, L'immortale was returned the 10/3 favourite and he finished a disappointing eighth.
"The last day we took the visor off him and he didn't put it in for us," Lawlor reflected.
"We put the visor back on and got him back running from the front - he doesn't like to be bossed. Let him take you where he wants to go. It won't be coming off again anyway.
"He is capable (in that grade), it is when he steps out (of it) it can be a different ball game. He is getting close enough to that now.
"He got a fair bit for the Fairyhouse win (9lbs) and he hasn't really recovered from that.
"We'll see how he is, if he grubs up. Then in January I give them all a rest and that will be it for them.
"The opposition wasn't the greatest, so you'd keep him going in that kind of calibre.
"When he's in the mood, he can do anything! He's happy enough when he is bowling along there."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
