< Luisant got his head in front for the first time in almost three years with a comfortable success in the BAR ONE Racing Mourne Handicap at Dundalk.

James Nash's six-year-old (10-1) had been without a victory since his French racing days in 2006 but travelled kindly for Colm O'Donoghue before quickening clear in the final furlong.

Favourite Soap Wars was two lengths away in second, with Miss Gorica staying on for third.

Nash said: "That's by far my biggest win yet as a trainer. At last he has shown everybody else what he shows me at home all the time."

Tommy Stack's course specialist Cochlear (10-1) was at it again as he recorded his sixth Dundalk victory with a length and a half success in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund August Handicap.

Stable representative Vincent Rossiter said: "He loves it here, Mark (Enright) gave him a lovely ride.

"A lot of horses like it here, and when they like it they keep winning. He started off with a rating of 60 (when winning at Dundalk in March last year)."

Stack's Cleodora had earlier showed a tenacious attitude when opening her account at the second attempt in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Auction Maiden.

Rossiter said of the 8-1 chance: "She's a nice horse and did it well. There are no definite plans at this stage for her."

Ger Lyons enhanced his fantastic record at the track with Achak swooping fast and late to land the Crumb Rubber Guaranteed Irish Matting Race under Johnny Murtagh.

There were still plenty in with chances passing the furlong marker but it was Achak (4-1) who showed the best finishing kick to score by half a length from Sampers

Lyons said: "He's always had a lot of ability, but getting it out of him is the thing.

"He's off on the plane on Thursday to Paddy Gallagher in Santa Anita. Hopefully he'll earn his way there."

Murtagh was narrowly denied a double in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden as his mount Queen Of Troy had to make do with the runner-up spot behind Kevin Prendergast's Da