Well-backed favourite Beat The Ballot looked like he'd eventually be reeled inside the final two furlongs of the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Handicap and he was ultimately mown down and knocked out of 'the three' as bottom-weight Cheers Buddy powered home to get up in the hands of Chris Hayes.

Lee Smyth trains Cheers Buddy, following up on a success here a fortnight ago, for Scottish man Robert Reid, who was in attendance to savour the victory.

Smyth is thankful to the well-travelled five-year-old and after he'd got up by half a length in this miler he stated: "This horse has done wonders for the yard – he's ended our drought.

"I had him entered in a 0 to 65 but he's a small horse and the weight he was carrying here suited better.

"I'll probably give him a few weeks off as the key is to run him fresh and hopefully the handicapper won't be too hard on him and we'll keep him in the same bracket." (AM & EM)