Magellan Strait and Hugh Horgan (left) beat Longclaw© Photo Healy Racing
Hotpot Magellan Strait just prevailed at the line in a driving finish to the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Race at Dundalk.
The Irish Cesarewitch winner went to post a 30/100 shot in the two-mile conditions race on his first start since landing the €600,000 handicap at the Curragh in September.
Joseph O'Brien 's charge tracked the front-runner Longclaw before Hugh Horgan asked his mount to challenge passing the two furlong pole.
He made heavy weather on getting on terms and just had his head down at the right time as the pair flashed past the post, recording a short-head victory.
Horgan, who was riding out his 7lb claim, said: "He did (grind it out), it was his first run back for a while and I think he had a break after his last run.
"First go on the surface and I think it suits him.
"He's good and lazy and makes you work for it. There is definitely improvement in him, he'll improve a lot for that as he had a nice blow afterwards.
"He stays all day and will stay further."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
