Lily Of Kenmare (10/11f) rewarded favourite backers when winning the Happy Christmas To All Our Patrons Maiden (Div 1) at Dundalk this evening, scoring a 31st winner for 2012 for leading trainer at the track Michael Halford.

Halford was already assured of the 2012 Trainers' Title before tonight's meeting but Lily Of Kenmare moved him 11 winners clear of second placed Eddie Lynam. Lily Of Kenmare's rider Gary Carroll was replacing the suspended Shane Foley who is currently tied for the Leading Jockeys' Title at the track. He must now hope Wayne Lordan fails to partner a 26th winner in any of the later races to be assured a tie for the award.

Regarding Lily Of Kenmare, Halford stated “its nice to win a maiden with her. She is still green but will improve with racing - she wandered about a bit but is genuine.

“We'll enter her in a handicap now and see what he (the handicapper) does with her. I'm delighted for the owner (Brian Gallivan) who also bred her. She had a bit of a setback but he stayed with her and he is a very loyal supporter of ours.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee