Declan McDonogh stole the show at Dundalk with a well-executed front-running ride on top-weight Gargano to take the [email protected] Handicap.
The jockey was drawn wide in stall 13, but got his mount away quickly and was soon in front in the 10-furlong test.
Joanna Morgan's 10-1 shot led by a good 15 lengths at one point and with the other riders waking up to the danger too late, Gargano stayed on well up the straight to win by three and a half lengths.
Gary Carroll edged into a one-winner lead over Ben Curtis in the apprentices' championship race when he got 11-10 favourite Kalann home in front in the www.dundalkstadium.com Maiden.
Sabrina Harty's three-year-old was going well when he struck the front a furlong out, but he had to be kept up to his work to withstand the challenge of Harranda by three-quarters of a length.< Lightening Stricks (2-1) got favourite-backers off to a good start when romping away with the Group Discounts At Dundalk Maiden in the hands of Fran Berry.
The Dick Brabazon-trained three-year-old was always travelling sweetly and cruised up to the lead a furlong and a half out before striding clear to score by seven lengths.
David Wachman's juvenile Maundays Bay (11-8) was another favourite to go in, leading all the way to take the Christmas Parties At Dundalk Maiden.
Wayne Lordan stoked up the pace in the last two furlongs on the filly, who was returning from a three-month lay-off, and she just had enough in the tank to hold the charge of Adiynara by half a length.
Champion jockey-elect Pat Smullen put one on the scoreboard when Zulu Principle took the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Package Maiden.
Handily placed throughout, Dermot Weld's charge (3-1) got on top in the final furlong and then resisted the late surge of favourite Leaves You Baby by a head.
