Rory Cleary gave Cash Or Casualty a finely judged front-running ride to claim the seven-furlong handicap at Dundalk.

Damian English 's charge was dropping back a furlong having scored over a mile here three weeks previously and showed plenty of toe as he bounced out to lead.

Cleary had his rivals hard at work two furlongs out and found a willing partner in the Footstepsinthesand gelding.

The 5/1 favourite (best priced 13/2 this morning) galloped on strongly inside the final furlong to post a length success. Collingwood and Khyber Pass came through to give chase inside the final furlong with the former edging the runner-up spot in the closing stages.

“He's gotten very consistent here and I think seven furlongs could be his trip now,” said English afterwards.

“He came out of his last run well and we backed off him as he's best fresh. If we we get a bit of good ground this year we could have a bit of fun with him on the grass as well.”

There was a colourful display to celebrate the Chinese New Year in the parade ring after the second race while a costume dragon and other entertainment was also circulating the racecourse.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)