The Johnny Levins trained Hasselnott was claimed by trainer Ger Lyons following his success in the Dundalk Stadium Claiming Race at Dundalk this evening as the gelding registered his third career success.

Ridden by Donagh O'Connor, the five year old son of Hellvelyn went clear of runner-up Georgian Bay inside the final furlong before scoring a three lengths win.

Levins claimed Hasselnott at the Co Louth venue for E12,000 in April 2017 and today lost the David Spratt owned gelding, for E16,000, to trainer Ger Lyons.

Following the race, trainer Levins said “he's been a grand old servant for me and I don't know what went wrong the last day and perhaps I didn't have him fresh enough. He's a horse that loves to be fresh.

“He benefited from a nice cool, simple ride. He went out with a plan in his head and executed it brilliantly.

“In fairness it probably was a weak enough race and that told in the manner he won it.

“I wouldn't like to see what the handicapper is going to do but we'll take it as we get it and see if we can pick up another one up here, but that's only if he's not claimed.”

Third placed Pari Passu was claimed for E8,000 for Bernadette Leigh to be trained by her husband Peter Fahey while fourth placed Atlas was the subject of a friendly claim from his trainer Denis Hogan.

Quotes from Gary Carson