Bargain buy Nite up to the job under Townend

In the colours that the ill-fated Backspin carried to success in a Punchestown Festival bumper last April, Paul Townend got the 25/1 chance Opening Nite up on the line to take the Fundraising Made Easy at Dundalk Handicap.

Having his second start for Denis Cullen after an undistinguished hurdling bow on Thyestes Day at Gowran, Opening Nite responded generously to a strong drive here, getting up to grab King's Bastion The nicely-supported Mac Tiernan (16/1 this morning into 13/2) made a bold bid from the front but he ultimately faded into fourth.

Cullen said: "He did it well and Paul gave him a brilliant ride. I bought him at Newmarket last October (for 4,500 guineas out of Richard Faheys).

"He'd been working well at home and his skin and physique have improved since we've got him.

"He didn't take to hurdles last time but that's not to say that he won't go back at that game at some stage."