Whelan shows a bit of Wizardry

The biggest gap between any of them was a length and three parts and the first three distances were a short head and a neck twice. Exciting it certainly was and it was 25/1 shot Secret Wizard that emerged victorious in the Book Your Christmas Party At Dundalk Handicap.

Much of the pre-race talk centred on Jon Ess and Artistic Melody but they had to make do with 3rd and 7th places respectively. Tonkinese was the one to give Sheila Lavery's Secret Wizard most to do but Ronan Whelan's mount just held on.

"I think Ronan Whelan won that race — he gave the horse such a good ride," said Ms Lavery.

"He's got tons of talent but just doesn't always put it all in. I think he's actually better going right-handed.

"I said to Ronan 'jump and don't let up on him'. He did look like he put the head down and ran to the line — ish!

"I'll keep him in and look at the fast-track qualifiers. His three bad runs this year have all been on soft ground and he just has to have rattly ground.

"He's better when he thinks he's not doing a huge amount. Even though Ronan got him out he wasn't having to chase him and still had him on the bridle. That's the way you've got to ride him."

(GC & EM)