Chris Hayes had to keep asking and his mount The Firm (2/1 into 6/4 favourite) kept finding to land the Dundalk Driving Tourism Forward 28th February Rated Race.

Trained by Kevin Prendergast for his wife Lesley, the five-year-old Acclamation gelding was following up his course win here from six weeks back.

Hayes had to switch his stick more than once on The Firm who drifted left at the furlong pole. In the end he saw off Shabra Emperor by half a length. Four and a half lengths covered the six participants 'at the death.'

"It was a bit of a messy race and there was no pace. It wasn't really the plan to be as prominent but I didn't want to give Conor (Hoban on Above The Law a soft lead.

"He is what he is but he's consistent and he tries hard," reflected Hayes afterwards.

The Stewards interviewed C.P. Hoban, rider of Above The Law, concerning the fact that he appeared to move across before reaching the marker poles. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered evidence from the rider, the Stewards found C.P. Hoban in breach of Rule 211 (a) by failing to keep straight until passing the marker poles and having considered his record in this regard and suspended him for one race day.

The Stewards interviewed C.D. Hayes, rider of The Firm, concerning the fact that he appeared to move across before reaching the marker poles. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered evidence from the rider, the Stewards found C D Hayes to be in breach of Rule 211 (a) by failing to keep straight until passing the marker poles and having considered his record, they severely cautioned him regarding his future behaviour in this regard.

(AM & EM)