Sporting Hero led home a 1,2 for Denis Hogan in the opener at Dundalk, the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Claiming Race.

Down the field on his last two starts at the Curragh, the 69 rated bay was easy to back this afternoon, drifting from early shows of 7/2, to a starting price of 11/2.

Providing Nicola Burns with her second success, the Bobby's Kitten four-year-old had a protracted tussle with stable companion Land Lover from the two furlong pole, with just a short head between them at the line.

The runner-up was returned at 7/1 under Joey Sheridan, while there was a three and a quarter length gap back to Distillate (5/2f from 4s early) in third.

"He came off the bridle early enough, but he kept at it," Burns reflected.

"I was trying to sit as long as I could just to save a bit for home and he came home well.

"He (Hogan) said 'wherever you are comfortable, just keep him there until the finish and just let him go on then'.

"It is nice to get the second (winner), hopefully a few more to come now.

"I did a lot of pony racing for about two years and it was definitely a great grounding, so it helped a lot.

"I'm still in school doing the Leaving Cert.

"Good few placings and they are all experience as well - so, the more I get, the better."

There was an €8,000 price tag on the Winning Chance Syndicate owned victor and he was later the subject of a 'friendly claim'.

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Fly To Glory trained by P.J.F. Murphy, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to have coughed once post race, was otherwise found to be post race normal.

L.T. McAteer, rider of Fly To Glory, trained by P.J.F. Murphy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right throughout.

R.M Mulligan, rider of Wild Mountain trained by Patrick J. McKenna, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left in the home straight.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham