The 80-rated Lightning Boltz got off the mark at the eighth time of asking in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden at Dundalk. Aikido (4/1 into 5/2 favourite) was the one to give 100/30 second market choice most to do and half a length separated them at the line.

It was just three parts of a length to Takedo in third.

“He deserved that. He loved that surface and Billy (Lee, winning jockey) said another furlong wouldn't make any difference to him either,” said successful handler Willie McCreery.

“He's getting a bit clever there and needed a tap or two to wake him up again. I loved the way he fought to the line and stuck his head out. He's a good hardy colt.

“He might come back up here for the winter. The ground was too heavy for him down in Gowran and he loved that surface.

“I'm delighted for Madeline Burns (owner), Maurice's daughter.”

C.D. Hayes, rider of Zoom Call trained by Thomas Cooper, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran keen early.

(GC & EM)