With their close friend J P McManus having a day of days at Cheltenham, the Magniers saw their colours carried to success in the opener at Dundalk, the 3-y-o V Keating Oil Ltd. Median Auction Maiden with Penniston Line

This Tommy Stack-trained newcomer was expected to do the business at the first of asking, finding 6/5 from 7/2 in a place earlier in the day. The Holy Roman Emperor gelding took over from Rasputin in the final quarter mile and he kept going best from over a furlong out to beat his aforementioned chief market rival by a length and three parts.

Wayne Lordan, rider of Penniston Line, said: "We didn't go that quick. I was a bit afraid that Johnny's (Murtagh on Rasputin) horse had a bit more experience. When I asked my lad he quickened well and he went to the line although he had a bit of a look.

"There's probably a bit more improvement in him."

Lordan is now on the 11 winner mark in the Racing Post winter series, one ahead of Shane Foley. (AM & EM)