COURSE specialist Togoville burst back into life in the GAIN Handicap under the lights at Dundalk.

The popular grey had stall nine of nine to contend with but hit the ground running and Declan McDonogh got him to the front against the rail by the first turn. He saved petrol for when push came to shove in the straight, too, and found plenty for pressure to see off Shepherd's Purse by a length and a quarter at the rewarding odds of 20/1.

It gave Togoville his seventh victory at this circuit, and trainer Georgios Pakidis said: "He's had very awkward trips on his last couple of runs from outside draws and he can't find his momentum. He got lucky today as he broke very sharp and got right into the lead. If he gets a trip like this he can beat any horse.

"He has always been in good form and I've never had any problem. He ran two bad races and we gave him a little bit of a breather, although he never stopped training. He'll probably come back here next month for the Fast-Track Qualifier over six furlongs and we'll go from there."

O'BRIEN TREBLE

Song Of Love's success in the Racing Post Handicap was the highlight of a Dundalk treble for Joseph O'Brien.

The 5/1 chance was given a patient ride by Wayne Lordan, who brought him through to chase hat-trick seeker Duchessofflorence inside the final furlong. Song Of Love's finishing kick proved decisive as he grabbed Michael Halford's mare before scoring by a neck.

Lordan said: "He's a grand horse and he has been running very consistently all winter. He's been running well over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half so it's nice to get his head in front again.

"He tries. They need to go a gallop for him over a mile and a quarter but he gets the mile and a half really well. He's a real fun horse."

O'Brien teamed up with his brother Donnacha to land the Print Express Maiden with Remember The Days. The Kyllachy colt was sent off a relatively unconsidered 14/1 shot for his introduction but belied his inexperience to outpoint Allography by half a length.

His jockey said: "I thought he'd improve plenty for the run but, to be fair to him, he pinged the gates and he was very straightforward for first time out."

The middle leg of the three-timer came courtesy of Ligeti's cosy victory in the Contract Floor Coverings Handicap (Div 2) in the hands of Connor King at odds of 5/2.

Ana O'Brien also got in on the act on Palavicini Run (10/1) in the five-furlong Fast Shipping Ireland Ltd. Handicap.

Johnny Levins' filly was competing over an extended mile and a quarter just before the turn of the year but has gradually dropped back in distance and finished to good effect to deny favourite Strategic Heights by a length and a quarter.

BREAKTHROUGH

Sheisdiesel broke through at the 12th attempt with a last-to-first victory in the Carrickdale Hotel & Spa Handicap.

The Noel Meade-trained 4/1 chance swung for home with all of her rivals still in front of her, but Oisin Orr eased her into contention in seemingly effortless fashion. He then switched her to the inside of Hailstone and Sweetasever, who were disputing the lead, and Sheisdiesel quickened again to cross the line with three-quarters of a length in hand of Hailstone.

Meade said: "She deserved that as she keeps turning up. The first day he rode her we had told him to be handy but he missed the kick and held her up. He came back in and said the right way to ride her is to hold her up.

"Danny (Sheehy) maybe overcooked it a bit the last day but, in fairness, it was a maiden and I'd say the maidens are just too good for her. That was a plan executed to perfection today. It's great to win with her.

"She's given them a good bit of fun as she wasn't a very expensive filly. She'll probably run away here. She wants it fast all the time and she seems to go on that. She can't handle soft at all."

Share The Honour (9/2) was an expensive yearling but didn't see a racecourse for Godolphin, and was snapped up by Tony Martin for just £7,000. He made an immediate return on that investment, too, landing the Elusive Pimpernel Maiden by a length and a quarter from fellow newcomer Robe Of Honour.

Jonathan Burke got War Room (13/2) up in the dying strides to register his first flat success in the first division of the Contract Floor Coverings Handicap.

READ THE FULL DUNDALK REPORT IN NEXT WEEK'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD