Pat Smullen had the bit between his teeth all night at Dundalk. After a record breaking turf season last campaign, the Offaly man is looking forward to kick off again at Naas on Sunday. Tonight he rounded off the winter series on the polytrack as joint champion, after a treble brought up aboard Tennesse Waltz in the concluding Follow @attheraces Twitter Handicap.

Colin Keane looked like he might have struck the decisive blow with a success on Elbereth in the preceding contest.

Smullen wasn't having any of it though as he added to earlier victories on St Stephens Green and Sign Of The Kodiac.

The David Marnane-trained Tennesse Waltz (7/2 favourite) proved strongest inside the last to get the better of Shelbe by a length and a half.

"Everything worked out as we hoped. I wanted to get a bit of cover on the inside," said Smullen.

"He travelled very well. He was in tight quarters a good bit of the way and when he got out he quickened up well despite me throwing away my whip.

"On his best form he was entitled to be very competitive and the race just worked out perfect for him. Hopefully he'll go on and win another one."

Michael Halford and Joseph O'Brien also tied at the top in the winning trainers table.

(GC & EM)