Patrick Prendergast doubled up at Dundalk tonight when the well-backed Red Persian repelled all comers in the Avenue Inn Handicap.

The gelding was backed from 8/1 this morning and went to post an 11/4 shot for the six-furlong contest.

Chris Hayes bounced out in front on the son of Haatef but he was strongly pressed in the straight with the whole field in a line a furlong-and-a-half from home.

Red Persian proved a willing partner and repelled the challenge of Blue Uluru inside the final furlong to record a head success.

Prendergast said:- “He loves the fast ground, and the day he won last year it was firm. I think I could run him on the M50 and it would be no problem to him!

“Chris said he loved that. A lot of horses don’t handle it up here but he loved it.

“He did very well over the winter, and put on a good bit of weight.

“He’s now going to be up in the 90’s but he’s a good hard-knocking little horse, and he only just does enough.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)