A horse on a roll, a handler that's made a sizzling start to his career and a red hot apprentice up, Strategic Heights had plenty going for him in advance of the Dundalk Stadium Racecourse Of The Year Handicap. However, with the assessor making it more difficult for him and many heads turned in the direction of a pair of British raiders, Strategic Heights went off at 9/2 but he again got the job done.

Johnny Feane employed the services of 7Ib claimer Robbie Downey and that proved a shrewd move. Never far away, Strategic Heights was in front two down and he was soon looking good, going on to defeat Queen Grace by three parts of a length.

Tony Carroll's well-backed English raider, Caspian Prince (11/4 favourite) faded to finish sixth whilst Brian Ellison's Baytown Kestel (9/2) ended up coming home in rear.

"It's grand. He's won three weeks running now. I don't know what we'll do with him - he might be sold to go foreign.

"He's a grand horse and likes it up here. We took the 7lb off to help him and the young lad gave him a great ride.

"I knew there would be an awful lot of pace on so I told him to jump and if he was happy in front okay but if not drop him in. He won well," commented Feane afterwards.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Baytown Kestrel (GB), trained by Brian Ellison (in GB), at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be stiff behind post race. (GC & EM)