As Pat Keane in today's Irish Examiner put it, for Aragorn Rouge it really is a case of now or never and the previously frustrating gelding put it all together well to land the dundalkstadium.com Optional Claiming Maiden under Johnny Murtagh.

The four-year-old chased a good gallop set by Danick Of Time and he got to the front inside the final furlong to beat that rival by a length. Moonbi Creek was the one early shoppers this morning wanted to know about most but Aragorn Rouge was strong too and he found 5/4 favouritism from 15/8 whilst that aforementioned opponent, at least 7/2 this morning, was sent off at 11/8. Chris Hayes was bidding for a double on Moonbi Creek but he had to settle for fourth place.

Eddie Lynam trains the successful eleven times previously raced son of the not that well-known Aragorn, for the A G Partnership and he said: "That took a while but he deserved to win a race of some description as he has been running well."

Of course Aragorn Rouge was runner-up to the ill-fated Melodie d'Amour here just a week back.

There were no claims following this contest. (AM & EM)