Meishar has a 50% strike-rate from eight runs at Dundalk and registered a first win over five furlongs today in the Story Of Dundalk Stadium Book Handicap, scoring for owner/trainer James McAuley and jockey Sam Ewing.

Bought as an unraced four year old for 3,000gns in January 2020, the Argentinian-bred gelding today edged past leader No Speed Limit inside the final furlong and gained a neck win over that rival.

McAuley later commented “we weren't going to enter him but I said before we'd rather drop back to five than head up to a mile. Six or seven (furlongs) is probably ideal but we saw this race.

“We knew he'd have plenty of weight but once we knew we could get Sam to take off 5lb we said we'd go for it. He carries me around, and I'm thirteen-and-a-half stone - I know that's not in a race but carrying weight is no bother to him as he's a fine big horse.”

He added “we had nothing to lose and thought it would tell us where we are going next year with him.

“I was surprised that Sister Lola went and caught him last week but they went plenty quick then and it suited her while it probably softened him up a bit for those coming late. He's been unbelievably consistent.”

Quotes from Gary Carson