After going close on his last two starts, Zalty got a deserved win to his name as he took the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Package 3yo Handicap, under Fergal Lynch for David Marnane.

The French bred son of Elusive City was recording his third career success this evening, having won his maiden on his debut here last November, before scoring on his second start in handicap company at Leopardstown in June.

Sent off the 7/2 joint-favourite, he was settled in fifth, before progressing on the outside in the early straight.

He came with his challenge two furlongs from home, hitting the front a furlong out, keeping on well from there to score by three parts of a length. Toccata Blue finished back in second under Emmet McNamara for Ger Lyons at 9/2, while Your Pal Tal who attempted to make all, was a head back in third under Billy Lee for Tommy Stack at 12/1.

Fergal Lynch said afterwards: "He is a grand little horse and we like him. I thought when he won at Leopardstown that he’d be a Dubai horse, if he keeps progressing he might make it to Dubai yet."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee