< Geological s victory in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Awards 2016 Handicap was the highlight of a Dundalk double for Damian English.
The four-year-old was 4lb out of the handicap, although that was negated by Michelle Hamilton's 10lb claim, and this was a first victory for the jockey.
The 8-1 chance had plenty of challengers in the closing stages but kept going gamely for Hamilton and flashed past the post with a length in hand of Shepherd's Purse
English's brace began when Dance Alone ran out a determined winner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Apprentice Handicap.
Donagh O'Connor was hard at work on the front end for the last couple of furlongs on the 6-1 shot, who responded to all of his urgings to fend off Roachdale House by half a length.< Alfredo Arcano (2-1 joint-favourite) gained his revenge on last-start conqueror Duplication in the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Race.
David Marnane's gelding was pipped by his Joseph O'Brien-trained rival a fortnight ago but was better off at the weights and that told as he held Duplication a neck at bay.< Ellaria and Pure Action were another pair to renew rivalries, this time in the Happy Christmas From All At Dundalk Stadium Maiden, and they dominated the market.
Ellaria, the 11-8 favourite looked likely to coast home when hitting the front just inside the final quarter-mile, but she didn't go through with her effort and faded to finish a four-and-a-half-length runner-up behind Daybreak Boy (7-1).
There was a thrilling three-way finish to the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap and Chosen Rock (12-1) had his head down where it mattered, pipping Mo Henry by a short head, with half a length back to Red All Star < Cresendo (5-2 favourite) registered a deserved first success in the www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap (Div 1), while 4-1 joint-favourite Easy Boy took division two.
