Yorkshire-based trainer Kevin Ryan made another trip to Ireland pay dividends as Arganil defied top-weight in the Mercury Stakes at Dundalk.

The four-year-old was sent off at 5-1 having finished down the field in the Ayr Gold Cup on his latest outing and having raced prominently throughout, the chestnut found plenty for Keagan Latham to beat market-leader Rain Delayed by a length.

Latham said: "He jumped off a bit sluggish but I was able to give him a breather on the bend.

"When I asked him he took me the whole way to the line."< Fourpenny Lane (7-2) turned in a hugely impressive performance to win the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Race by seven lengths in the hands of Wayne Lordan.

Winning trainer Joanna Morgan said: "I don't get too many winners around here so it was nice to get on the board.

"Wayne gets on really well with her, she just flies for him and he loves her.

"She's in the Goffs sale on November 22 but we'll consider running her at Lingfield beforehand in a six-furlong Listed race."

Johnny Murtagh secured another winner in his pursuit of the jockeys' championship as Reggae Dancer (9-4) opened his account at the 12th attempt in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden.

Murtagh is now two clear of title rival Pat Smullen on 83 winners.

Declan McDonogh had to be at his strongest as 12-1 shot Sharp Steel came out on top in a thrilling finish to the www.dundalkstadium.com Nursery Handicap.

The challengers were queuing up inside the final furlong but Sharp Steel answered his rider's every call to hold off Sassaway by a neck.

Paul Townend once again demonstrated his talents in the saddle when guiding 7-1 chance Oversighted to an all-the-way win in the www.louthholidays.com Apprentice Handicap, while Across The Rhine (9-1) took the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Package Handicap for Tracey Collins.