Clarke & Ryan on the mark with Maestro Stick

Maestro Stick registered a second course and distance win at Dundalk, as he took the first divide of the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

Successful at the venue in March, the Keith Clarke trained five-year-old then failed to make an impact in three starts on the turf, finishing second when returning to the all-weather in September.

Fifth on his most recent outing, the son of Frankel was sent off a 4/1 chance this afternoon in the colours of the Phoenix Bloodstock Syndicate.

Settled behind the leaders by Gavin Ryan, the bay victor improved to the front with less than two furlongs to race and kept on well when ridden in the closing stages, coming home a length-and-a-quarter to the good.

The Denis Hogan trained Jaafel was sent off the 3/1 favourite and he ran on well to take second under Daniel King, while Beleaguerment (6/1) was another length-and-a-half back in third.

"He's a nice horse, he's straightforward and genuine," Clarke said.

"Things just worked out well today, we got into a bumping match the last night when we really fancied him and he didn't get a clear run.

"We changed things a little bit and came the outside with him today.

"The night he won here, he kicked away.

"It took us a while to figure out how to work him never mind race ride him. When we figured that out, everything else is pretty simple after that.

"The main plan is to keep him going over the winter, he has won here twice, so why change it?

"I think he'll get a mile, he was second over a mile here on his first run back. We did try him over 1m 2f because his dam has won over further, so I'm not scared to try that.

"He takes his racing really well, but he tells you when he is ready."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham