Eastern Rules recorded his third success at Dundalk when running out a cosy winner of the seven-furlong handicap on the all-weather tonight.

The 3/1 favourite was produced with a strong run to lead over a furlong out by Conor Hoban.

He soon asserted and kept on strongly inside the final furlong to post a two-and-three-quarter-length victory over Daliyan

The winner had won twice over a mile here in October 2011 and was placed over that trip here last month.

“We dropped him back in trip as he showed lots of pace the last day,” said trainer Michael Halford.

“He likes the surface and it was his last opportunity here so we took our chance. It's nice to win with him. He's a grand straight forward fella.

“He has a couple of entries over the weekend and on Monday and Wednesday but the rain coming mightn't help.”