The market proved spot on in the opening Irishinjuredjockeys.com Claiming Race at Dundalk as the finish was fought out between two well-backed rivals with Jaafel coming out best.

The 2/1 favourite, available at 11/2 overnight, was recording a third win over this course and distance and kept on well under Daniel King to score by a length and a quarter. Notforalongtime supported from 9/1 overnight into 7/2, ran a cracker in second with Numoor a further two and a half lengths back in third. Roderick lost any chance when rearing from stalls and losing considerable ground.

Winning trainer Denis Hogan said, "He has (been in rude health at Dundalk over the winter), he loves this place and loves the surface.

"You could say the handicapper might have a hold of him. These races are brilliant for the likes of him when they reach a higher mark and struggle in handicaps, it gives them a chance again.

"It gives us a chance to sell some and buy some, they are great races and I support them well. I think there should be more of them and even over jumps as well. They have a great purpose.

"He's a good horse and we'll be sorry to lose him, but they are here to be claimed. If we lose him, we lose him - I'm not sure if the boys are going to try and claim him back or not.

"We wouldn't (mind keeping hold of him), he'll do his job and he probably just is where he is in the handicap. I'm not sure he'll stay over jumps, but he'll be a good fun horse for somebody.

"Dan has a great record on him and that is probably as low as Dan does in the weights. It is nice that he has top weight that we can claim off him. Jumping will be his (King's) future."

The winner was claimed for 15,000 by Stephen Thorne to be trained by Ado McGuinness. James McAuley claimed both Numoor for 5,000 and Inflection Point (ninth) for 15,000.

Quotes by Michael Graham