Back in his riding days David Marnane delighted many a punter winning three bumpers, including the championship event at Punchestown in 1993 on Dramatic Touch. There was nothing dramatic about his opening race double at Dundalk this evening but again plenty will have been pleased to see two well-fancied runners deliver in as many races.

Following on from Alfredo Arcano (3/1 chance under Chris Hayes) in the first, Donagh O'Connor brought home Settle For Bay (11/4 favourite) a winner in the 6.00, the Floodlit Friday Nights Rated Race.

After following up on a course and distance win from 16 days back, by two lengths from Honour Oak, Marnane said: "He's a very nice horse. He's huge and doesn't have an awful lot of experience, and even the last day he just had a look when he got there. He doesn't know a lot about it but he's definitely going the right way.

"I'm delighted for Mossy Casey and Denis McGettigan who own him and have been good supporters. It's great that they have a nice horse.

"He'll be a nice horse next summer. He could come back here to teach him another bit."

R.P. Downey, rider of Poetic Choice (GB) trained by Keith Henry Clarke, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.

(AM & EM)