Alvar got his head in front late to give Mick Halford and Shane Foley a double on the card at Dundalk this evening. Ocean Drift looked set for victory in the second division of the seven-furlong handicap when hitting the front over a furlong out.

Foley got a good tune from Alvar in the closing stages, however, and he stuck his head in front where it mattered to gain a nose success.

The 14/1 winner was making the step up to seven furlongs for the first time having been well held over shorter trips at the track previously.

“He's shown a bit of form up here in the past,” said Halford.

“He's been a backward horse and it was a great ride from Shane. I'm delighted for the owner (Paul Rooney) who has been very patient.”

Whatumaycallit was sent off a well-backed 15/8 favourite (from 3/1) but could only finish seventh. John's Legend (14/1) was withdrawn after failing to load and there was a 5 cent deduction to all bets.

Halford and Foley had also teamed up to land the opening maiden with Opera Gloves

(Additional reporting by Michael Graham)