Dundalk regular Copper Dock recorded his sixth win on the all-weather surface when prevailing in a tight finish to the opening six-furlong handicap this evening.

Tom McCourt 's charge always travels well in his races and was nursed into contention at the furlong pole tonight.

Ben Curtis drove his mount into a narrow lead inside the final furlong and he maintained that advantage to the line. Mea Parvitas finished best of all to push the winner hard close home but failed by a head to get up.

The winner had been well backed this morning from 12/1 into as short as 4/1. He proved easier to back on course, drifting from 4/1 to 6/1.

The top-weight was taking a drop in grade having slipped a few pounds in the ratings recently. He was recording his first win since February this year.

"That's his 80th run today and he's now won eight times," revealed McCourt.

"He loves it around here and has dropped back to quite a good mark. He'll come back on Friday for another handicap."

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)