Eighty Eight just clung on at the line after an enterprising ride by Patrick McGettigan in the finale at Dundalk this evening.

The John Feane-trained gelding bounced out in front in the concluding ten furlong contest and had a healthy advantage at the halfway stage.

His rivals started to close going to the furlong pole but the 6/1 shot just held the late challenge of 3/1 favourite Beauparc to record a short-head success.

It was a second career success for Eighty Eight and his first since joining Feane. He had also won at Gowran Park back in June 2022. It was a fourth winner for Letterkenny jockey McGettigan.

Feane was leading up the winner and the successful rider said:-

"We looked at the form for the race and there was no real pace - Wrecking Ball Paul was the only one I could see, but I honestly didn't think he would be quick enough.

"The last day Rory Mulligan rode him and he finished second on him. I was talking to him before and he said he would have loved to have made the running and it would have suited him more.

"Today, I just let him free flow around the place, get him into stride, get him relaxed. He picked up great. He was very idle and there was a lot left, but it was great.

"I wasn't sure (if he had held on), I had the head down. Thank God we did."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)