Trainer Michael O'Callaghan was responsible for the first two home, as Darkdeserthighway beat stable companion Rockbury Lad in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap at Dundalk.

With both horses coming into this race in excellent form, it was difficult for punters to separate the pair. While Rockbury Lad had been a winner over course and distance last week, his stablemate had caught the eye with a nice reappearance third at Punchestown.

Colin Keane(Darkdeserthighway) and Leigh Roche(Rockbury Lad) were content to sit off the early pace, as Dance The Flame took the runners along.

The eye was drawn to both O'Callaghan horses early in the straight, Darkdeserthighway making stylish ground up the stands rail, Rockbury Lad weaving a path down the centre.

At the furlong marker, Keane committed on Darkdeserthighway, kicking for home and quickly taking a couple of lengths out of his rivals. Rockbury Lad stayed on well to go in pursuit but had no answer to the eventual winner.

Colin Keane was completing a double having won the opening claimer on Jalo

Michael O'Callaghan said: "She was (an eyecatcher in Punchestown), she had a bit of a summer break and she likes it up here.

"She came on from that run and off that mark she is entitled to win one here. She might win another one again before the winter is out."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.