Calm Bay landed a gamble when scoring his third career victory at Dundalk when making all in the opening five furlong handicap under Sam James.

He opened at 16/1 on course and was punted down to 7/1 on the off.

The six-year-old was saddled by in-form trainer Harry Rogers who said: “He ran well at Down Royal on soft ground that he doesn’t really cope with so he was entitled to run well.

“He’s a great servant and five furlongs is his trip. He’ll come back here again. My horses have been running well for a while now and hopefully this will last for another while!”

“Sam gave him a nice ride, he’s very strong.”

The winning time of 58.27 seconds was only 0.27 off the standard time for five furlongs at Dundalk and was impressive from a front-runner.

Calm Bay won by half a length from Copper Dock (6/1) with Almadaa third at 13/2 a further three and three parts of a length away. Exhortation was sent off 4/1 favourite for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen but the Khalid Abdullah-owned three-year-old trailed in last of the 10 runners.

Michael Graham