Captain Joy© Photo Healy Racing
< Captain Joy completed a hat-trick of Dundalk victories in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Race.
Tracey Collins' grey landed back-to-back handicaps on the polytrack before the turn of the year and defied a 77-day layoff to justify 5-4 favouritism in the hands of Pat Smullen.< Custom Cut was on the front end from the outset and he kept up the gallop right to the death, but Captain Joy swooped in the final few strides to win by half a length.< Almadaa survived a stewards inquiry to take top spot in the www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap.
Things didn't look too promising for favourite-backers as the 9-4 market leader was still trapped on the inside behind long-timer leader Sujet Bellagio a furlong from the finish.
But Fergal Lynch kept a cool head on David Marnane's charge and once the split came, he maneouvered his way between runners.< Harry Trotter briefly looked to have done enough as he swept from the back to lead 150 yards from the line, but Almadaa was just hitting his stride and held a three-quarter-length advantage as they passed the post.
Marnane and Lynch doubled up in the very next race as Eusapio broke his duck at the ninth time of asking.
Sent off 11-4 second-favourite for the [email protected] Median Auction Maiden, Lynch dictated at his own leisure and the three-year-old responded well up the home straight to pull five lengths clear of Elusive Spring
Ian Brennan got a fine tune out of Bualadh Croi in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap.
Daniel Miley's 25-1 outsider settled nicely in behind leader Jouster and, after taking it up with a furlong to run, stayed on well to hold the fast-finishing He's Got Rhythm by three parts of a length.
The Rory O'Connor Apprentice Handicap went to the Ger Lyons-trained Shukhov who made every yard under Colin Keane.
