Lupini saddles first winner in red-hot Alnahar

Alnahar was different class on the night to his 12 rivals in Division 1 of the extended mile and a quarter handicap at Dundalk.

He travelled powerfully under Colin Keane in second behind Gaoth Tire The six-year-old readily picked off the leader entering the home straight and quickened right away on the run to the final furlong. He was well clear at the business end and hacked up by five and a half lengths at 8/1. Lifting Me Higher took second at 5/1. She finished half a length in front of Universal Mind (10/1).

This was trainer Natalia Lupini's first victory as a trainer. The 24-year-old from Milan has held a licence since March last year. She is based in Scarva and has four horses in training.

This gave jockey Keane a Dundalk double as he also scored on Russet in race two.

Natalia Lupini said: “He's been in very good form and has been running well. We were very hopeful of a good run and he did it well. I'm delighted with him.

“We had a very bad year last year as we had a bit of a virus but the horses are starting to pick up now.

On stable star the sprinter Abstraction she added: "Abstraction had a few problems last year and had two operations as he went wrong in his wind but he's back in good form now and we're hoping to run him in England at the end of February.”

Abstraction was fourth in a Meydan sprint handicap worth 640,000 euro two years ago.

The Stewards enquired into an incident in the latter stages of this race involving Lonan ridden by C.P. Hoban, unplaced, Gaoth Tire, ridden by P.B. Beggy, unplaced, Universal Mind, ridden by O.J. Orr, placed third, Absorbing ridden by Anastasia O'Brien, unplaced and Dolly Rose ridden by R. Coakley, unplaced, where it appeared that Gaoth Tire caused interference by coming off a straight course. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the incident was caused by P.B. Beggy riding carelessly by failing to take reasonable steps to avoid causing interference and consequently suspended him for one race day having taken his good previous record into consideration.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson