Lexi's Boy toughs it out in Dundalk finale

Lexi's Boy put up a likeable display to land the concluding Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap at Dundalk under Phillip Makin. Black Belt looked likely to get the better of the front-running Lexi's Boy from over a furlong out but the victorious Verglas gelding has a good attitude and he stuck on gamely to win by three parts of a length. He was making it three wins on the bounce following a couple of wins at Wolverhampton.

Yorkshire-based trainer Kevin Ryan handles Lexi's Boy for Mrs Margaret Forsyth.

Ryan said: "This horse will be going jumping eventually and he'll make a proper jumper.

"On the flat he'll probably get another two furlongs. He ran a bit green again today. I was hopeful coming here but more confident about the two-year-old (Pea Shooter, 3rd in the first).

"I thought the track here rides a bit slow which didn't suit Pea Shooter "

Meanwhile for Mrs Forsyth this was a fourth visit to Dundalk and a third winner.

Well-backed favourite Haziyna (2/1 this morning into 5/4) couldn't quicken from two furlongs out and she eventually had to settle for sixth place of the nine runners.