After hitting the crossbar in the first two races, James McAuley saddled a winner at Dundalk through Tai Sing Yeh in the first division of the 47-65 handicap over six furlongs.

The 14/1 shot was always prominent and stayed on well down the stands' side once leading a furlong out.

He came in by three parts of a length from Tawaazon (7/2). Inishmot Prince the 15/8 favourite, was a length and three quarters away in third.

James McAuley said: "Even though we were nicking the odd winner, the seconds were mounting up, so it was great to get.

"Billy gave him a brilliant ride. We ran him twice over five furlongs in Bellewstown and I'd say that fairly sharpened him. Billy gave him a great ride - to cut the corner the way he did and even coming up this side (stands' side). I've never seen so many horses coming up this side. It definitely doesn't seem to be a disadvantage.

"The horse had been due a win, to be fair. He has been very good to us since we claimed him with plenty of placed runs. I'd say Billy made a difference on him.

"He likes to bounce out and bowl along, I think sometimes we have got into speed duels with people. I said to Billy 'if you get to the front you get to the front, but I wouldn't gunfire it'. That probably made a difference. He will take a lead.

"We run him over every type of trip so we are probably more responsible than the horse for some of his other runs.

"I'm delighted to get that and that equals last year's tally, we got 20 last year."

On running plenty of horses on the card tonight, he added: "We don't have to keep other owners happy - it is only myself, Jim and Stephen, the brother."

Billy Lee moved level with Colin Keane on 85 winners for the season.