WAR Secretary got his three-year-old campaign off to a flying start with victory in the Avenue Inn, Dundalk Patton Stakes. Successful at this venue on his second and final start as a juvenile, the son of War Front was upped to listed class for his return and made the running.

Noivado loomed up and looked the likely winner a furlong out, but War Secretary responded to all of Seamie Heffernan's urgings and prevailed by a neck at odds of 5/2.