Prisoner's Dilemma, near side, fends off Skontonovski© Photo Healy Racing
Prisoner's Dilemma won the seven-furlong handicap for horses rated 45-75 on Dundalk's card for the second year in succession for Johnny Levins and Donagh O'Connor.
The race was divided this year and he went off 9/2 favourite for the second split. Geological and the gambled-on Capla Knight raced clear of the field and set fast fractions but were reeled in racing to the final furlong.
Prisoner's Dilemma, with the big white face, came through to lead but faced a stern challenge in the final 150 yards from Skontonovski
Donagh O'Connor drove Prisoner's Dilemma home by half a length from persistent rival Skontonvoski (17/2). The each-way money was landed on Capla Knight a further length and three parts back in third at 15/2 having been available at 14/1 in the morning.
Levins said: “It appears they cut their own throat up in front and Donagh was in the right position.
“He’s won this race two years in a row so he’s a bit like Santa!
“We didn’t over race him this year on the turf with an eye on Dundalk and we’ll keep him rolling now while he’s fit and healthy.
“Hopefully he can pick up another couple of races and maybe he could run in a turf Premier Handicap on fast ground over the seven.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
