The application of blinkers helped Winter Lion show his true colours in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap at Dundalk.
A trip to Cheltenham didn't pay off last month but, on his return to the level, the Matthew Smith-trained 11-1 chance sat second, never more than a length from the pacesetting Macnicholson
Wayne Lordan kicked for home at the top of the straight and took a couple of lengths out of the field, a margin that was never really reduced, and he came home a length and three-quarters to the good over Venezia
The market principals were always to the fore in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, and 5-4 favourite Drake Passage led home Shahroze
Declan McDonogh was allowed an uncontested lead on John Oxx's youngster and he stretched two and a quarter lengths clear without McDonogh having to get too serious.< Cappadocia came with a wet sail to land the Dundalk Stadium Claiming Race in the dying strides.< Seanie appeared set to roll back the years when tackling Dance Alone but the front-runner wouldn't lie down, although they were both chinned on the line by Ronan Whelan on the John Feane-trained 8-1 shot.
Feane looked like following up when well-backed favourite Twist Of Magic entered the final furlong of the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Nursery Handicap still in front.
However, she was swamped and, in a thrilling finish, Little Miss Willow (16-1) pipped George Boole by a head.
Feane did then complete a double courtesy of Miracle Ninetynine in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap (Div 1), with the second instalment going the way of Seeking Truth
Oisin Orr was coolness personified on Creeping Ivy in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Apprentice Handicap.
The 5-4 favourite swung into the straight with only one behind her but Orr kept her to the inside and she picked off her rivals to score by a cosy half-length.
