Jockey Kevin Manning completed an opening races double at Dundalk today as he steered Theobald to win the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Race for his father-in-law, trainer Jim Bolger.

Manning, earlier successful on gambled Canford Art in the opener, steered 101 rated Theobald to a three parts of a length win over Noivo

Ger Flynn, Bolger's travelling head man, later stated “Kevin (Manning) was very happy with him, and said he’ll be a nice horse going further next year. It was nice to get him back into the winners’ enclosure and he loved the surface."

When asked if he could be a type for the UAE Derby he added, “he’d be an ideal horse for the surface, the track and the trip in Dubai but that will be up to the boss. I might put that into his head, as I'd like to go to Dubai!”

Theobald's previous two starts were when finishing well beaten in both the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket and the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

Quotes from Alan Magee