THE final meeting of Dundalk’s Winter Series saw Andrew Slattery ride a 265/1 double.

The jockey partnered Burren Song for his father, Andy, in the Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap over an extended 10 furlongs and this 11/2 chance was always prominent before going for home approaching the final furlong. He saw it out best by a short-head from Cristal Clere, who kept him honest.

The trainer said: “We changed tactics to make plenty of use of him as he is a big, long-striding horse. I thought if he stayed two miles the last day, we would make use of him over that trip. He’ll be kept busy on the turf and could go back over hurdles as well.” The Battle Of Marengo gelding scored for owner Patrick J McNamara.

Slattery’s double came courtesy of David Marnane’s 40/1 outsider Amemri in the Win 50k Weekly With ITV7 Handicap over seven furlongs.

She raced in mid-division of this 11-runner field and began to make her move in the final quarter of a mile. From fifth at the furlong marker, she stayed on to lead in the final 100 yards and fended off Fleetfootsoldier by a neck.

Slattery, in the MRC International colours, said: “She’s done that well. I rode her the last day and David said she might just take the run.

“She was spot on and came on leaps and bounds from it today. She put up a good performance.”

Tawaazon on top

Earlier on the card, Tawaazon (13/2) proved to be a revelation on the drop back to five furlongs in the competitive-looking Sky Bet Handicap.He picked up the lead on the run to the final furlong and drew clear at the business end by four lengths under Colin Keane.

Owner-trainer James McAuley said: “We dropped him back to five furlongs because he travelled so easily over six the last day. Colin had said he would be worth a shot at five. They went a fair pace and it looked a hot race on paper.”

JAMES Ryan and Celtic Revival successfully teamed up for the third time this year when taking the Betting Better With Sky Bet Handicap.

Again, a mile and a half was very suitable for the son of Sea The Stars who had to wait for a clear run in the final couple of furlongs. Once he got daylight, he stayed on strongly to get up in the closing stages by half a length at 7/1.

“He’ll go on the turf now. People have been trying to buy him for jumping, but Aileen (Lynam, owner) is very keen on keeping him. She won’t get me taking out a jumping licence!” said trainer Eddie Lynam.

Hero is right on time

Hero Of The Hour has been a real credit to George Kingston over the Winter Series and grabbed his third victory in the Enter Sky Bet Prize Drop Handicap.

Chris Hayes conjured up a strong finishing effort from the six-year-old gelding, who hit the front 150 yards from home.

After the 3/1 favourite obliged by a length and a half, Kingston said: “The key to him was that they would fly in front and Chris has the bottle to ride him that way - what a rider.

“It is fantastic for local men; David Hoey (owner) is a good friend of mine and this horse in his colours - the Louth colours - is brilliant. Louth have been flying as well.”

Chariot collects

John Murphy’s Sea Chariot showed improvement from a debut sixth at this track to get off the mark in the Irish Stallion EBF Median Auction Maiden over seven furlongs.

The race boiled down to three horses and it was Sea Chariot who came home best once he took the initiative a furlong and a half down. He won by half a length and a short-head from Artemis Jones and Heartrate, and his backers were rewarded at 10/3.

Jockey Scott McCullagh drove him home for the Hewins Hoare Partnership and said: “I thought he quickened up and put the race to bed. He had a little look when he got there, but the penny is still only dropping.”

SHE’S In The Game was a drifter from 11/2 to 12/1 on her first run since November in the seven-furlong Sky Bet Handicap, but the market got it wrong as she was a clear-cut winner.

Neve Bennett has struck up a useful association with the six-year-old mare and the duo delivered their winning move approaching the final furlong.

They drew clear in the closing stages to sweep home by two and three-quarter lengths for Mrs Alan Dargan and trainer Bill Farrell.

Bennett said: “We had her ready a couple of times and I just said to Bill that I thought she needs the break. He’s very good with her and a very, very smart man. He knows himself what they need and he gives it to them, and it works.”

Kearney on the mark

Ellabella (5/1) made all for Jack Kearney in the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap and was a length and a quarter too good for her rivals.

The five-year-old mare took the honours for owner Dr Margaret Heffernan, and trainer Andy McNamara said: “She used to be very hard to ride, she is not too much anymore. She used to hang badly and run keen. It was kind of a thing to leave her at it and not get into a fight with her. For whatever reason, she still likes being ridden that way.”

Joseph O’Brien was the leading trainer of the Winter Series with 19 winners while Colin Keane was the leading jockey, also with 19 victories.