Dash D'or grabs Dundalk gold

Kieran Cotter's Dash D'or (16/1) came home best in a bunch finish to the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap over six furlongs.

The six-year-old mare was well in contention on the outer turning for home and was ridden by Nathan Crosse with a furlong and a half to travel.

She rattled home to grab Shore Step in the closing stages but still had War Hero to worry about on her shoulder.

War Hero (8/1) stayed on strongly but lost the verdict by a short head. Shore Step was a head further away in third at 4/1, a neck in front of Nigg Bay in a race that would have delighted the handicapper.

Kieran Cotter said: “She just got it on the nod. I thought we were beaten again as we were second here last week (with Polly Douglas).

“She had been off form but was working well leading up to this race. She had a few issues and it just took a while to get them ironed out.

“She was sixth in this race last year off 6lb higher and beaten three lengths so we thought she would go very close. Nathan gave her a great ride as she is not straightforward.

“She goes on the surface and hopefully can pick up another one.”

The Stewards interviewed S.B. Kelly, rider of Shore Step, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found S.B. Kelly in breach of Reg.10.3.(g)(frequency) and having taken his record into account suspended him for one race day.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee