Division two of the DundalkStadium.com Handicap saw Chateau Musar (11/4 favourite) make it three wins from five outings for John Geoghegan and Chris Hayes.

The difference on this occasion was that he was stepping up from an extended ten furlongs to a mile and a half.

It proved no inconvenience at all for the Morpheus gelding in an event where the gallop didn’t appear to be overly strong.

They fanned out in the straight and Chateau Musar eventually upstaged Port Lockroy and Lunastar by three parts of a length and a length and a half.

“He's in great form, I can't believe it. Five runs, three wins, a second and a third, what can you say,” said Geoghegan.

“He travelled really well today and he seems to like that trip too. It's his second time over a mile-and-a-half but the last day he ran a bit free.

“He seems to be a horse on the improve. There is another mile-and-a-half here in a couple of weeks time but he'll hardly be in a 0-65 then.

“He loves this surface. Initially we always thought he wanted soft ground but he proved us wrong and he could be a horse for nice ground on the turf.”

The Stewards interviewed H.J. Horgan, rider of Port Lockroy (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that he was aware of the permitted number of strikes and be apologised for knowingly going over the limit and he also accepted that he was using the whip above shoulder height. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that H. J. Horgan was in breach of Regulation 10.3.g, excessive frequency and 10.3.h, the use of the whip with the arm above shoulder height. Having considered H. J. Horgan's record in this regard The Stewards suspended H. J. Horgan for four racedays. H. J. Horgan was accompanied by Mr. Brendan Powell at this enquiry.

(GC & EM)