Marise tops in a thriller

Distances of a neck and three heads split the first five home in the six runner Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Handicap. It was favourite Marise (11/4) that just prevailed from the fast-finishing Rummaging in the extended mile and a quarter affair at Dundalk.

Winning rider Wayne Lordan revealed in the aftermath: "Michael (Cunningham, trainer) thought she had a good chance and thought the trip would suit her down to the ground.

"He said to ride a simple race, that she would stay going and that she was in good form.

"It was a nice pot to win for trainer and owner. She has been running consistently in fairness to her. She had a nice low weight tonight and kept on well." Song Of Love bidding to supply his owners the Annus Mirabillis Syndicate and Aidan O'Brien with another winner on the night, faded out of it to finish a little way adrift (two and three parts of a length) of the principals last of the sextet.

(GC & EM)