Lead horse Elishpour earns "a few quid"

Elishpour got into the clear in time to get up on the line for success in the closing Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

Billy Lee rode this fellow for Barry Connell and Alan Fleming and he touched off favourite Saga Bolton by a head.

There was just a half length back to Johann Bach in third.

Connell said afterwards: "We use him as a lead horse for the bumper horses at home and it's a bit of fun to bring him up here. He's a stone lower now than when he was third in Royal Ascot (in 2015).

"He seems to love this surface so we'll bring him back over a mile and a half or two-mile races if they are there over the winter. Hopefully the handicapper won't be too hard on him.

"It's nice to have an old horse like him about the place. They are invaluable for leading the young horses, and it's grand to get a few quid for him tonight.

"He'll never come off the ground again as he doesn't like jumping. It's a pity but we'll keep him to what he's doing."

G.P. Halpin, rider of Secret Existence trained by John James Feane, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran short of room in the straight.

The Stewards enquired into an incident involving Lusis Naturea (GB), ridden by C. Heavey, Oakmont (FR), ridden by Amy O'Hanlon, Muniza ridden by P.J. Smullen, and Black Label (GB), ridden by C.P. Hoban.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards took no further action.

Mr. S. Collins Acting Steward absented himself from this enquiry.

(AM & EM)