Heavily backed into a returned 2/9 Zihba is now two from two after taking the Jimmy McGeough Median Auction Race at Dundalk.

Fozzy Stack's Choisir colt had to work, but in the end it was pretty convincing for Chris Hayes' mount as he defeated Irish Minister by two lengths.

Zihba landed his maiden over a furlong shorter (seven) at this venue just prior to Christmas.

"He did it well. He's still a work in progress and he probably needed the run a bit there with all the hold-ups with the weather," said Stack.

"He did it quite well as he's giving the runner-up 15lb.

"Chris said he just gave a bit of a heave with him about two-and-a-half down and then got his second wind and ran on.

"He'll probably go for a Guineas trial somewhere. I'd say he wants fast ground."

(GC & EM)