Monarch has Andy Mc and pals smiling

"A group of friends from Galway claimed him here last year, they are a good bunch of lads and they'll get a big kick out of this," said Andrew McNamara after Mandarin Monarch defied top-weight in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Handicap at Dundalk.

Denis Linehan partnered the former Jim Bolger-trained first-time out maiden victor and now a four-year-old he achieved a second career success by accounting for Tildas Icon (ran a big race for a 25/1 shot) by half a length.

"It looks like they had a few quid on him (7/2 from 5s on track and bigger earlier) and though I'm on the way home from sales at Cheltenham I'm sure they'll celebrate well without me," further explained McNamara.

"We've moved to a lovely new yard with excellent facilities and that's our first winner from there - hopefully there'll be many more to come."

For his part Linehan said: "He's a very genuine horse, and ran well with me here the last day. I was a bit unlucky today with the draw but they went a nice gallop and he got into the race well.

"He seems to be a horse on the improve now."

(AM & EM)