Circles now has the winning habit for McCann and Heffernan

The Book Online @DundalkStadium.com Handicap looked a wide open event beforehand and so it proved with a line of horses in contention right across the track over a furlong out with Circles coming out on top.

The Anthony McCann-trained filly ended a frustrating sequence when opening her account earlier this month and add to that success here off a 9lb higher mark.

The 100/30 favourite responded to a strong drive by Seamie Heffernan to just hold off Storm Eric by a head with Indiana Grey just a neck away in third.

McCann said, "The first night Seamie rode her he said he was sorry he didn't win on her. He promised after Christmas that she would win one or two.

"I thought the handicapper had her now, she went up 9lb which I thought was very strong for winter-time racing.

"For a second, I didn't think she held on. I'm very happy and I'm glad Seamie was back on again.

"She's a Holy Roman (Emperor) out of a Galileo mare, there's no reason why she wouldn't handle the turf but she seems to love it up here.

"I don't know when she ever had a bad run up here, she had been finishing fourth and fifth. She always had a hard-luck story. Hopefully, she keeps going the right way."

Quotes by Michael Graham