BEACH Bar bounced back to form to spring a 20/1 surprise in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Awards 2017 Handicap at Dundalk.
Since winning at Leopardstown at the end of October, Richard O'Brien's charge made an unsuccessful visit to Doncaster before struggling in a handicap over a mile here.
He didn't get a lot of luck on that occasion, though, but made amends by seeing off Geological and Elleval by half a length and a short-head.
O'Brien said: "I said to Wayne (Lordan) beforehand that if things fall right for him then he should be competitive off his mark.
"They went a serious gallop, which suited, and Wayne said he was in his hands all the way. He's a very talented horse when things go right for him.
"David Haddrell identified him for us at the Newmarket July Sale and he heads up the Koya Equine Partnership. My father and I have a half-share, and that's our biggest pot.
"We could look at running in a Fast-Track Qualifier here, and the Irish Lincoln is another option."
MANNING TREBLE
Theobald stamped his class on the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Race.
Since making a successful start to his career at Leopardstown in June, Jim Bolger's colt has made the frame in a couple of Group 3s but was found wanting in the Dewhurst Stakes and Racing Post Trophy - both Group 1.
Dropped markedly in class for his all-weather bow, Kevin Manning got the 11/10 favourite across from an awkward draw to track the front-running Aishling's Secret before taking it up inside the final quarter-mile.
Noivo gave chase but Theobald was always doing enough and crossed the line three-quarters of a length to the good.
Bolger's travelling head man Ger Flynn said: "Kevin was very happy with him, and said he'll be a nice horse going further next year. It was nice to get him back into the winners' enclosure and he loved the surface."
When asked if he could be a type for the UAE Derby, Flynn said, "He'd be an ideal horse for the surface, the track and the trip in Dubai, but that will be up to the boss. I might put that into his head as I'd like to go to Dubai!"
Theobald's victory formed the middle leg of a treble for Manning, initiated when the well-backed Canford Art (4/1) made a successful start to her career in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Just when favourite It's All A Joke looked to have mastered Spirit Power in the centre of the track, Manning produced Peter Fahey's newcomer closer to the inside to gain the spoils by a length and a quarter.
Fahey said: "We fancied her to run a big race. We had her at the breeze-ups in Newmarket and we didn't sell her. She is a nice filly who goes well at home and is very quick.
"More than likely she is for sale and Kevin liked her a lot. She missed the break and gave them a couple of lengths but she put the head down and stayed going well."
The treble was completed when Mainicin sprang a 20/1 surprise in the Winter Series At Dundalk 2018 Handicap over the extended 10 and a half furlongs.
The five-year-old mare, who was the second leg of a double for trainer Jim Bolger, beat 25/1 Johann Bach by half a length, with Shannon Soul (5/1) a head back in third and the 7/2 favourite Thunder Speed another short-head away.
The one-two paid an eye-catching €478.70 on the Tote, with the tricast paying out a whopping €2,911.36!
NEWCOMER
Port Lions and Zihba dominated the betting for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden and that's how the race panned out.
However, it wasn't Port Lions who claimed top honours, with the 8/11 favourite having no answer when Fozzy Stack's newcomer Zihba (15/8) swept by to strike by a length and a quarter.
Winning jockey Billy Lee said: "He did it well. First time out you would always be a bit worried that they would be a bit green but he was very professional.
"He jumped and travelled away beautiful through the race, and turning in I always thought I had Pat (Smullen, on Port Lions) covered. He picked up beautifully and went to the line well.
"He's going to improve plenty and is a nice horse for the future. I only hit him one crack coming up the stands side to make sure he was in full concentration, but he won with a bit in hand."
An impressive change of gear early in the straight helped Settle For Bay complete a three-timer in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Apprentice Rated Race.
The David Marnane-trained 100/30 chance has been revitalised since teaming up with Donagh O'Connor and disposed of Ishebayorgrey by three and a quarter lengths.
Kirk's Dancer hasn't had much racing but there is an engine there and she proved as much by justifying 3/1 favouritism in the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Maiden for Michael Halford and Pat Smullen.
The final race of the year at the venue – the Dundalk Stadium Racing Returns Friday 5th January 2018 Handicap – appropriately went to 9/2 shot Adieux, ridden by newly crowned champion jockey Colin Keane. The filly is trained by Pat Martin.