There aren't many horses more familiar with Dundalk than Stoichkhov and he got a good ride from Keith Quinn (19yo from Ballinabrackey, County Meath, 1st winner) to score on the polytrack for the fourth time. Quinn was landing his first success on attempt number three in this Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Apprentice Handicap.

Attached to the Willie McCreery yard, Quinn put his ability up in lights by getting 20/1 chance Stoichkhov to the front after a furlong and a half, from his outside draw in twelve.

Soon clear, the Mickey Cleary-trained six-year-old was reeled in to some degree a furlong out but he kept up the gallop gamely to hold the well-backed favourite Beat The Ballot (around 4/1 earlier in the day into 15/8 favourite) by three parts of a length.

Cleary remarked: "He was drawn a bit wide but he always comes out well. No-one closed on him. The others didn't bother lying up and you have to in a race like that."

The Stewards interviewed D.M. Melia, rider of King Of Oriel unplaced, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion D.M. Melia was in breach of Regulation 10 3 (b) in that he had used his whip when his chance of winning or being placed had clearly gone, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 2 racedays.

R.P. Downey, rider of Ed Led Jed trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was slowly away.

(GC & EM)