Northern Surprise won his third race on the bounce at Dundalk when coming out on top in the www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap under Billy Lee for Tim Doyle.

Jim Monaghan owns and bred the 11/8 favourite, and after getting the better of Poetic Choice by a head over a mile here on December 18th, the Azamour gelding this time gained the day by a neck from the same rival.

"He likes this place. He's tough and he keeps finding. It's hard to win three in a row, and he's won six in all now," reflected Doyle.

"We'll have to step up another grade in a few weeks, and see how we get on. He's basically been on the go for a year but, if he stays in good form, we'll keep going."

(AM & EM)