An old fashioned 'they knew' gamble was landed in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap at Dundalk this evening when the Damien English trained Ask Dad bolted up, under Rory Cleary, having been backed from 16/1 in the morning into 4/1 second favourite.

Four year old Ask Dad had previously raced for three different yards and despite having initially been rated 97 as a two year old, won this evening from a mark of just 55. The last of his two previous wins was gained in August 2012 before his form deteriorated in 2013.

English, who was advertising his training ability for all to see with the win, picked up the gelding for just 1,000Gns in October 2013 and while his initial efforts were disappointing, raced from 12lbs out of the handicap on his latest run on October 25.

Following the win, English stated “I'm delighted with that!

“He had a little wind job before Bellewstown and is feeling the benefit of it now. He ran very well in Cork when he missed the break and flew home to finish fourth and in Leopardstown last time the step up to a mile didn't work out.

“Back today off his proper mark he did it well and it's a nice birthday present for my father (Joseph English), with his birthday tomorrow, and I have a happy (winning) owner.

“We've had a desperate year and the horses weren't right for a long time and we'll keep tipping away with him now.”

The win was Co Dublin based English's sixth career success, in his fourth season training.

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson