Gillian Dawson dispelled the myth that lightening cannot strike twice in the same place when Libras Child won the World Sports Promotions Handicap at Dundalk.

The 10lb claiming jockey had only once in the past found the winner's enclosure, which was at this meeting last year & ndash; aboard the same horse, in the same race.

Despite that pertinent statistic, Libras Child was still allowed to be sent off a 12-1 chance.

And those who invested in the nine-year-old were eternally grateful as Dawson came late and fast on the outside to deny Mister Thatcher by half a length.

Pat Smullen virtually clasped two hands back around the leading jockeys' trophy when Palazzone battered his rivals into submission in the Best Rate Bureau Nursery Handicap.

The six-furlong heat was over as a contest some way from home as the Ger Lyons-trained juvenile relentlessly galloped away to easily account for the runner-up, Emily Dickinson

Lyons said: "The horse wants for nothing and did very well & ndash; there's plenty of value to be had with him."

Smullen and Lyons were at it again 30 minutes later when Spinone hit the target in the RacingFolks.com Maiden.

Mick Halford's Magic Mornings the 5-4 favourite, threw down stiff resistance but Smullen's mount showed his class when it mattered to score by three-quarters of a length.

Lyons added: "This is a nice horse and he battled well."

Halford was all smiles shortly afterwards, though, when the Rory Cleary-ridden Mariydi landed the Hillgate Publishing Maiden.

Halford said: "He wasn't beaten too far in a decent race last time & ndash; he'll have no problem going further."

Better was to come in the next race, however, when the same combination combined to take the valuable Horizon PR & Advertising Handicap with Quinmaster

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