Mr Pianist had to survive as stewards enquiry to give Joseph O'Brien a double at Dundalk tonight.

O'Brien produced his mount to lead at the furlong pole but he was strongly pressed in the closing stages by Sparring Partner

Mr Pianist tended to lug left under pressure and left his rival slightly short of room as the pair flashed past the post locked together.

Eddie Harty's charge just got the verdict in a tight photo finish and held on to it after the stewards had a look.

"It's nice for the owners and for the horse. It's the owner's first winner for me and he was due one as he's been a bit unlucky," said Harty.

"He's a half-brother the Baron De'l."

Eddie Lynam, trainer of runner-up Sparring Partner, felt his charge was an unlucky loser:-

"He (Sean Levey) wasn't able to use his stick and if he could have hit him he would have. I was surprised it took them so long to call a stewards enquiry."

O'Brien had initiated the brace on his first ride back from suspension when Memphis Tennessee claimed the opening juvenile maiden.

The double left him two behind in the apprentice race, now on 35. Gary Carroll and Ben Curtis both rode winners to remain joint on top with 37 winners apiece.