PAT Smullen now trails Colin Keane by just one in the race to become champion jockey after dominating the Dundalk card with four winners.

Smullen had to be at his strongest to get Militry Decoration home in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Nursery Handicap.

Having tracked the pace before taking it up over a furlong out, Michael O'Callaghan's 3/1 shot then had to work hard to keep Smiling Eliza at bay by a head.

"He's been running consistent in maidens, and I felt seven furlongs is probably his right trip," said Smullen. "He took to the surface well, and when I got challenged he showed a good attitude and stuck out his head to the line."

Smullen kept it simple on Smugglers Creek in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Claiming Maiden.

The 8/11 favourite was bounced straight into the lead from his inside draw and pulled out plenty when challenged by Delegating to prevail by a neck.

Trainer Michael Halford said: "He was drawn well and Pat kept it simple. It's nice to get a bracket for him."

The treble came up courtesy of Riyazan's victory for Halford in the feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF Star Appeal Stakes, with the four-timer rounded out by Hunaina's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap triumph.

HALFORD TREBLE

The 13/2 chance dictated terms to suit herself and powered clear to beat Belle Boud by a length and three-quarters, giving Halford a treble.

Smullen said: "That gives me hope. Both myself and Colin would never be resting on our laurels, and we'll be trying until the last day.

"It's a good battle and hats off to Colin as well, but tonight was important to get back into the hunt.

"There is one or two days I'm going to miss with horses travelling, like Sunday I'm in Belmont, so it's important to have nights like tonight. I think it will go to the last day, and we'll be working exceptionally hard between now and then."

The title rivals were level on 80 winners apiece heading into the concluding Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap and fought out the finish there too, but Keane got 7-2 favourite Thunder Crash home just in front of Bold Knight to take a slender advantage to Limerick on Saturday.

Sleepy Head (5/1) took the Dundalk Stadium - Light Up Your Night Apprentice Handicap (Div 1), and jockey Robbie Downey also landed the second division with 7-2 favourite Beau Satchel.

Declarationofpeace got back on track with a confidence-boosting success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Dundalk.

Aidan O'Brien's War Front colt broke his duck at this venue back in May but struggled at Royal Ascot and in the Phoenix Stakes before running a bit better in the Middle Park last week.

The 1/7 favourite tracked the pace until Donnacha O'Brien asked him to go and win his race a furlong and a half out, and he proved much too strong, beating Boragh Steps by a length and a half.

The winning jockey said: "I got there way too early and he stopped when he got to the front. He's plenty of speed and it's good to get him another win."

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