The second split of the extended ten-furlong handicap went to the 6/4 favourite Fox Leicester who was a second career winner for 10lb claimer Sean Bowen.

The grey was prominent throughout and, along with Maestro Stick was allowed to gain a sizeable break on the remainder of the field from the halfway stage. Maestro Stick cried enough early in the straight at which point Fox Leicester struck for home. Despite having run a little keenly, Denis Hogan’s charge had enough in reserve to take full advantage of a judicious ride and he kept on well to beat Arctic Blaze by two lengths with El C Wells another three quarters of a length away in third.

A four-time winner in Britain, this was a first success in Ireland for the Dark Angel gelding.

Winning rider Sean Bowen said: “That's my second winner for Denis now.

“He's hit the crossbar the last two times, he's been second twice in a row and just run into good ones. It's nice that he got his head in front there today.”

Quotes from Gary Carson