Ablaze hangs on for hat-trick

All Ablaze held on gamely in the closing stages to land a hat-trick in the concluding five-furlong handicap at Dundalk this evening.

Damian English's charge was making his first start since scoring at the track last September, having also won his previous start at Bellewstown.

Rory Cleary bounced his mount out in front and had his rivals struggling down the straight.

The three-year-old started to tire close home, however, as the pack closed and held on by half a length at the line.

Almadaa won a bunch finish for second with Harry Trotter and Queen Grace dead-heating for third.

“Rory is riding out of his skin at present,” said English.

“It took him a few runs to get it together last season. As soon as I brought him back in he's been working all over Cash Or Casualty.

“I thought he might just need the run tonight and he'll definitely improve a lot from that.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)