Connections of Banna Boirche are hoping he has done enough to secure an invitation to race in Dubai after he took the feature bookings@dundalkstadium.com Handicap at Dundalk.
Shane Foley didn't have it easy on Michael Halford's 4-1 co-favourite, who was stuck behind horses coming down the straight, but a narrow gap finally appeared and he slipped through to win by three-quarters of a length.
It was the first leg of a double for the jockey, who brought the Harry Rogers-trained Solo Performer (25-1) with a last-to-first run down the outside to land the Crowne Plaza Championship Handicap by a neck.
Tommy Stack sent out newcomer Mutahadee to spring a 20-1 surprise in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Wayne Lordan had the youngster just off the pace turning into the straight in the mile contest and after hitting the front a furlong and a half out, he was driven clear to win in fine style by two lengths.
The six-furlong race of the same name was much closer, with the Ger Lyons-trained Future Generation (10-1), ridden by Keagan Latham, battling back to snatch the prize by a head after being overhauled by Flic Flac in the final furlong.
There was a close finish to the first division of the www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap as the Seamie Heffernan-ridden Five Two (16-1) caught favourite Sports Casual in the shadow of the post to win by a short head and keep the celebrations going for honeymooning trainer Gavin Cromwell.
The gaps came at the right time for Patrick Allen's Harry Days (6-1) in the second division and he led a furlong and a half out before scoring by two lengths in the hands of Martin Harley.
Willie Mullins' Dazzle Dancer (10-1) was attacked on both sides coming down the straight in the Christmas Parties Apprentice Handicap, but Eddie Linehan kept her going to hold on by a head.
