Chiclet brings up her hat-trick

Chiclet put in another polished performance at Dundalk when taking the opening five furlong handicap for Tracey Collins and Pat Smullen.

This was her third win on the bounce having scored on the polytrack at the start of the month and on turf at Navan back in October. Strategic Heights took the field along but as Fran Berry started to ask for more two furlongs out Chiclet travelled strongly on his outside and readily took over the lead.

The four-year-old powered home in the final furlong to win by two lengths at 2/1. Master Speaker the 15/8 favourite, kept on to come through for second but could make no impression on the winner.

"She's getting better and we're seriously considering the Dash at Epsom with her. The track will suit as long as the ground is good," Tracey Collins said.

"She's improved with age and has got physically stronger. In fairness she was always consistent. She wintered very well."

Chiclet defied an 8lb hike in the weights this evening that she accrued for winning a five furlong apprentice handicap at Dundalk on her last outing.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson