Just five went to post for the opening Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Rated Race at Dundalk but it proved a competitive affair with Prince Connoisseur coming out on top.

The Polytrack has proved a happy hunting ground for first-season trainer Johnny Feane who is now amassed an impressive seven winners from 15 runners at this venue.

Fran Berry sent the gelding to the front early in the straight, with Chiclet and Sylvan Mist throwing down their challenges at the furlong pole.

However the 5/2 favourite kept on well under pressure inside the final furlong to score by a length and a quarter from Chiclet, with Sylvan Mist another half a length adrift in third.

Feane said, “He won well. The last day he was pitched in and it was the wrong thing to do. Today was the right option for him. He’s won three now, and I’ll have to talk to the owners and make a plan for him.”

(AM & MG)