Rashaan (Niall McCullagh, nearside) gets the better of Elishpour© Photo Healy Racing
Favourite Pique Sous was withdrawn at the start after rearing up and unseating Pat Smullen before the ASM Chartered Accountants Race. The grey ran loose necessitating a thirteen minute delay to the start of the two miler at Dundalk. Another horse trained in County Carlow eventually landed the spoils, Rashaan winning under Niall McCullagh.
A new market was formed after Pique Sous' withdrawal, and Colin Kidd's Rashaan was returned a 2/1 chance. Bets struck before that were subject to a 30 cent Rule 4.
A few had chances until late on but Grade 2 winning hurdler Rashaan came out best at the finish by a neck and a length from Elishpour and the dead-heating third placers, Brokopondo and Political Policy
Eleven to ten market-leader Winter Lion made the running, but he had no more to give inside the final quarter mile and ended up ten lengths behind in fifth.
Kidd said afterwards: "I don't think he was in love with it around here. He didn't travel great but his ability got him through it. If we get a fine week he could possibly go for the Red Mills Hurdle.
"After that we will stay at home for Fairyhouse and Punchestown unless a suitable Flat race came up in the meantime.
"He takes his races well. He'd only run in the November Handicap about five days before he won in Down Royal, and he'd a run in the Cesarewitch three days before he was second to Hidden Cyclone.
"There is plenty to work on, and Niall said he had a good blow. There is loads of improvement in him. He's only back in six weeks, and hopefully it will be a long season for him."
Rashaan is owned by the trainer's mother, Amy, with Rachel Treacy.
The Stewards informed the representative of W.P. Mullins, trainer that Pique Sous (FR), would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.
(AM & EM)
