Skontonovski takes advantage of old mark to gain compensation

Skontonovski recorded his eighth career win and sixth at this venue when finishing with a flourish to take division two of the Bet On The Best Night Out At Dundalk Stadium Handicap. Notforalongtime appeared the one to beat when travelling well to lead over a furlong out but Skontonovski really flew home inside the final 100 yards for Ronan Whelan to pip that rival by a neck. Jazzy Dancer was a further length and a half back in third.

The 85/40 winner was gaining quick compensation for a short-head defeat to Feature This here last Friday.

Winning trainer Ado McGuinness said, “We got 4lb for the other night and we were forced to run him today, he wants a mile. The only thing I will say is I thought the ground was riding slower tonight and I suppose it made a big difference to him.

"Jimmy (Fairhurst) and the boys from Ardee own him and they wanted to dedicate it to a fella called Pat Coyle, a great friend of Jimmy's who passed away a few weeks ago. He loved going racing.

"I had to run him too because it was the last chance in that grade, he has gone up above it (new mark of 68)."

Quotes by Michael Graham