On his first start since October and his polytrack bow Munshid wasn't for passing in the opening 188BET.co.uk Handicap at Dundalk.

Try as she might, Diamond Fields couldn't get past and at the line the front-running Munshid held on by a head under Chris Hayes.

"It was a game effort. The boss (winning trainer Kevin Prendergast) had him in great shape," said Hayes.

"There didn't look to be much pace on paper, and he stays a furlong further, so we said we'd exploit that.

"If he was going to get beat it was going to be my fault. He had everything covered and was just looking at the stands in the closing stages.

"I think he could be a fun horse this year."

C.D. Hayes, rider of Munshid trained by Kevin Prendergast, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount jumped left out of stalls.

D.P. McDonogh, rider of Flowerhill Nova trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran short of room close to the finish line.

(GC & EM)