EMILY Grifferty partnered her first winner in the Book Online At DundalkStadium.com Apprentice Handicap as the John McConnell-trained Syosset, the 50/1 outsider of the field, came from off the pace to score on his handicap debut.

Caroline Ahearn’s four-year-old made headway from early in the straight and led inside the final furlong to beat Jawhary by two and a quarter lengths.

Grifferty said: “I’m delighted! I can’t thank John enough for putting me up on his horse. I’m in Noel Meade’s full-time and I go into John’s on a Sunday.

“I’m from just outside Drogheda and I’m 18. I just did my Leaving Cert last year, so I’m giving it a good go now. Definitely (a patient race paid off), he just picked up really well and finished out strong.”

Grifferty was given a two-day ban for use of the whip in the forehand position aboard the winner.

Repeating

A three-and-a-quarter-length winner of last year’s running of the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap, Dontspoilasale (13/2) landed this year’s renewal by precisely the same margin in the hands of Joey Sheridan.

The Kuroshio gelding sat second to Barbapapa before heading that one a furlong out and went away to score decisively as Sporting Hero grabbed second close home to complete a 1-2 for trainer Denis Hogan in this six-furlong heat.

Owner James McAuley said: “We told Joey ‘good and aggressive at the start’. We need horses like that, even if they are coming second, it pays for the other runners when we have three or four runners. We always need horses like him to tip around.”

Hogan and McAuley completed a double when Badger’s Cove justified 6/4 favouritism in the View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Nursery Handicap.

Blinkered

Third on his previous couple of outings, the Bangkok gelding was fitted with blinkers for the first time and led early before settling in behind Manifest Destiny, who dictated a steady pace after taking up the running after a couple of furlongs.

Ridden to lead again over a furlong out, the winner was sent clear by Colin Keane to post a two-and-a-half-length victory over Manifest Destiny.

McAuley said: “He was a bit sloppy the last time (third) with no headgear. It was just messy on his first run for us and he had been gelded.

“We weren’t even in Fairyhouse the day that we claimed him, he flashed home in third and we just took a chance.”

KEANE bagged a double when bringing the Richard O’Brien-trained Quatre Bras (6/5 favourite) from last to first to win the Bar One Racing Boost Your Acca Handicap.

The winner was ridden confidently and led over a furlong out as he readily defeated Tatateo by two and three quarter lengths. O’Brien led up his winner who runs in the colours of Frank and Maria Lynch.

Keane said: “He seems to have become very consistent or, as Richard said, is it just a coincidence that he has come right on the all-weather?

“It is a good trip for him. It worked out lovely for him today, they jumped and went a good gallop, he relaxed and travelled into it easily.

“He put it away nicely and, as Richard said, he could be a horse for maybe the All-Weather Final (at Newcastle) or something like that.”

Eastern Peace (4/1) appreciated a step up in trip to the extended mile and a quarter in the Bar One Racing Acca Boost Maiden. The daughter of Mohaather tracked the leaders under Shane Foley and came down the stands’ side to lead a furlong out, before staying on well to beat Matrice by three-quarters of a length.

Going further

Ross O’Sullivan, who trains the winner for the Fall Forward Syndicate, said: “The trip was the difference, I think.

“Shane rode her the last day and he thought the same, a mile and a quarter. He said she could go further.

“She’s a good, honest filly that will hopefully progress. Loves the surface and the trip was fine. She probably will keep going.

“She looked great this evening and, if she keeps taking it, we will keep going right up to Christmas anyway. We’ll leave her alone after that for a little break.”

THE Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race went to Gavoo (5/2), who continued the fine form of trainer David Marnane and jockey Luke McAteer.

Pushed along in 10th entering the straight, Gavoo picked up well when brought to the stands’ side rail two furlongs out and rattled home to nail Sovereign Cry on the line for a short-head victory.

McAteer said: “It wasn’t by design (the late rattle), he’s had a bit of a break and he’s coming back. He’s a lovely relaxed horse. His form stacks up behind Andab and all them. He’s a lovely horse and it is great for the owners (A Touch Of Leather Syndicate), they enjoyed it.”

No More Kisses (4/1) easily landed the Now Racing Every Wednesday At Dundalk Handicap in the hands of Nathan Crosse.

Pushed along in mid-division three furlongs out, the winner, trained by Andy Oliver for the Twelve Lengths Clear Syndicate, made headway to lead over a furlong out before stretching clear to beat odds-on favourite Drucker by five and a half lengths.

Oliver said: “She is by Mastercraftsman, so definitely stamina in the pedigree. We thought 10 and a half furlongs around here might still be a bit sharp, but there was a good, strong pace which was good. She picked up and hit the line strong.

“She is a filly we will look forward to next year, it is all about time and strengthening up.”