The handicapper can be rightly proud of his efforts in the Dundalk Stadium On Facebook Handicap as Flic Flac was joined on the line by the flying home Sunset Beauty with a wall of horses finishing close up.

While Flic Flac was battling it out up front with Duff Queenie Keen and Obligada Sunset Beauty was under pressure some way out towards the back under Kevin Manning. That daughter of Whipper stormed down the outside in the closing stages though to grab a share of the spoils.

Flic Flac was ridden by Pat Smullen for Moyglare Stud Farm and Dermot Weld whilst Manning was aboard Sunset Beauty for Jim Bolger.

Smullen said: "I wasn't too sure whether I held on. I hit the line but Kevin was coming fast. Half a loaf is better than nothing."