MUCH better known for his hurdling exploits, Rashaan (2/1) gained his second flat success when landing the spoils in the ASM Chartered Accountants Race at Dundalk.

Niall McCullagh rode the chesnut when he prevailed over a mile and three-quarters at Gowran back at the beginning of the autumn, and he was aboard again on this occasion for his fellow Co Carlow man, Colin Kidd.

Kidd has care of the five-year-old, victorious in Grade 2 company over the minor obstacles at Down Royal on his previous start, for his mother Amy and Rachel Treacy.

Pique Sous, the market-leader, reared-up and got rid of Pat Smullen at the start. The grey then ran loose for a considerable period of time, forcing his withdrawal. He’ll now have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.

Running 13 minutes late and with a new market formed, Elishpour shaped like a winner towards the end of this two-miler. However, Rashaan kept finding for pressure to edge things by a neck. There was a length back to the dead-heating third-placers, Political Policy and Brokopondo.

“I didn’t think he was in love with it around here – he seemed to be in trouble. He’s only back six weeks and Niall said he had a good blow so there should be loads of improvement to come,” said the winning trainer afterwards.

“He takes his racing well and, if we have a fine week, he could run in the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran on Saturday. After that, he’ll be staying at home and will go to Fairyhouse and Punchestown.”

Arguably the chief event of interest elsewhere was the Horse First Supplements Race. Here Fizzy Friday, a winner on her debut over the course and distance in late November, followed up for owner/trainer Andy Oliver.

Fizzy Friday (11/10) deposed Alfredo Arcano as favourite, and she was game in the seven-furlong event for Conor Hoban.

The Royal Applause filly was soon to the fore. Alfredo Arcano came there with every chance but Fizzy Friday just wasn’t for passing and she held on by a neck.

Oliver stated: “She’s a filly with a great attitude. I was afraid of her fitness, because we gave her a month off after she won. Conor said she took a bit of a blow near the line, so there should be plenty of improvement to come.

“There’s another race like this here in March and then we’ll look at a listed race or a Guineas trial – they would be our stepping stones with her.”

CAREER HIGH

Another of the fairer sex to reach a career high on the night was Moyglare Stud Farm’s Heartful (11/4 joint favourite) in the Sevens Cabs & Coach Hire Fillies Maiden.

Second to subsequent Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks heroine Seventh Heaven on her initial outing, also at Dundalk, last April, Dermot Weld’s four-year-old deservedly got off the mark at the eighth attempt when convincingly accounting for her fellow market-leader, Teagan Angel.

After getting to the front early in the straight, Pat Smullen’s mount kept on well for a three and three-quarter-length verdict.

“She’s a well-bred filly (by Shamardal out of dual Group 1 runner-up, Mad About You) so it’s a case of job done,” reported Smullen.

We hadn’t seen Sebastian Bach since the Galway festival in July. Gelded since, Michael O’Callaghan’s runner made use of his low draw to dictate throughout, in the hands of Shane Kelly, in the Fyffes Maiden. The rider of second-placed Shinko Princess, Rory Cleary, reported that his mount checked turning in. That mare went down by two and a half lengths to the Amethyst Syndicate-owned Sebastian Bach (11/10 favourite).

For Jim and Jackie Bolger and Kevin Manning, Admodum (13/2), absent since October, came out on top, by a length and a half, from Poetic Choice in the Ever Kleen Contract Cleaners Handicap.

Bolger’s representative, Ger Flynn said: “It was his first run since being gelded. He’s a lovely, good-looking horse and likes the surface. Coming back in trip was a bit of a concern, but this win opens up plenty of options for him.”

Joint-favourite Shannon Soul fared no better than seventh in this mile heat. She was squeezed for room shortly after leaving the stalls. Gearoid Brouder, jockey on Our Manekineko, picked up a two-day careless riding ban relating to this incident.

George and Prunella Dobbs’ Arbourfield (9/2 from 6s) was first reserve for the Bulmers Apprentice Handicap. Almoner’s defection saw Arbourfield get an opportunity, which he seized with Robbie Downey in the saddle. The win was achieved by a length from Lily’s Prince.

Brothers Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien combined to win both divisions of the McGeough’s Bar & Restaurant, Dundalk Handicap.

The Michael Keogh-owned Tommy Welsh (6/1) set the ball rolling on the 34/1 double as he defeated New Direction by three-parts of a length.

Owned and bred Aidan and Annemarie O’Brien, War Goddess (4/1 favourite) took the finale by a neck from King Christophe.

One of the market-leaders, Carvelas, finished towards the rear. He was reported by his rider, Ross Coakley, to have lost his action in the straight.

U S Navy Seal came home in ninth place behind Tommy Welsh. His trainer Jimmy Finn was found to have an oral dosage syringe in his tack bag. Finn stated that it was used solely to wash out his horses’ mouths. The matter was referred to the CEO of The Turf Club for further investigation.

REDDOTT Express (22/1 into 12/1) will have to be recertified before being allowed to run from stalls again. Killian Leonard reported that Reddot Express attempted to go down in the stalls.

He was forced to suddenly step off his mount, as the gates opened, leaving Fergal Birrane’s charge to run loose.

ACTING STEWARDS:

N. B. Wachman, S. Barry, S. Collins, J.G.J. McCoy and P.W. Murtagh.

HORSE TO FOLLOW:

TRUMP CARD (C. O’Dwyer): operating at a low level but could win a little race judging on his fifth place to Tommy Welsh.