Review dundalk 5th Dec

Pat Smullen claimed his fifth jockeys' title after his nearest pursuer Fran Berry managed only one winner at Dundalk, the final meeting of the Irish Flat season.

Berry's mount Finicius repelled the challenge of Quinmaster to notch his third win in succession in the Clear AV Ltd Race.

The 11-10 favourite travelled strongly into the straight but his supporters had a moment of worry when Quinmaster edged past him inside the final two furlongs.

To his credit however, Finicius battled back and was a short head to the good at the line.

This victory left Berry five winners behind Smullen as the curtain came down on the season.< Romeo's On Fire secured his third win at the track when finishing strongly under new champion apprentice Emmet McNamara in the O'Doherty's Audio & Video Productions Handicap.

The Ger Lyons-trained 6-1 chance showed a smart turn of foot in the final furlong to score by a length and a quarter from Inwood

This victory gave Lyons his 54th victory of the campaign, and the trainer said: "This horse needs six furlongs and hopefully he will run in some decent handicaps next season."< Adjaliya (5-4) confirmed the promise of her debut third when produced with a well-timed run by Mick Kinane to take the first division of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden for John Oxx.

"She had the form to win a race like this and we are very pleased," said Oxx. "She liked the surface, quickened well and we will be running her over a trip next season."

Newcomer Decent Fella (10-1) took the second division of the seven-furlong contest under Kevin Manning after a battling finish with Lista Lightning

Winning trainer Edward Lynam said: "He was ready to run in the spring but he chipped a knee and had to go to Newmarket for surgery, but he has won this well."

Manning went on to complete a treble with victories on board Gwens Spirit in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Handicap, and Hassanali in the Hibernia Steel Handicap.

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