Crescent Lake (cheekpieces) battles out the finish with Royal Eagle © Photo Healy Racing
The Terence O'Brien trained Crescent Lake defied top-weight to win the last at Dundalk, the William Hill Extra Places Every Day Handicap.
Successful at the all-weather venue back in November of 2020 when trained by John Murphy, the five-year-old was without a win since.
In action over hurdles and fences in recent months, the son of Oasis Dream was returning to the level for the first time since finishing second over the course in March.
Sent off a 6/1 chance under Rory Cleary, the bay gelding was settled behind the leaders and was fourth from halfway.
Ridden to challenge with less than two furlongs to race, he edged to the front just inside the final furlong, holding off the persistent challenge of Royal Eagle by a short head.
The runner-up was returned at 16/1 under Robert Whearty for Gordon Elliott, while War Correspondent (6/1) was just three-parts-of-a-length back in third, with Johnny Allen aboard this one for Ray Cody. Arctic Blaze was sent off the well-supported 9/2 favourite (from 13/2) and she finished a disappointing seventh.
O'Brien said of the Liam Lynch and Joseph Buckley owned victor: "I was just afraid it might be a bit too far, to be honest.
"We bought him as a kind of a dual-purpose horse off John Murphy and he won here for John.
"He won over 1m 2f and was second over an extended 1m 2f. The trip was a bit of a doubt and I thought it might be a bit far with top-weight.
"He kind of disappointed over hurdles, he is only rated 94 or 95 over them. He doesn't seem to see out two miles.
"I wasn't overly confident coming here even though he had form and everything.
"We might go to Galway, the owners are good sportspeople and they will have a bit of fun. With the hill we might come back a furlong or two."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Effernock Fizz trained by Miss Katy Brown, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Stewards enquired into the conduct of Mr. Daniel Dunne following the running of Effernock Fizz in this race under the provisions of Rule 272. The Stewards received a report alledging Mr. Daniel Dunne was verbally abusive towards J.C. Kearney, rider of Effernock Fizz. Mr. Daniel Dunne reported that he was irate over the ride given to Effernock Fizz and as a consequence of this may have spoke louder than normal. However he disputed that he was verbally abusive towards the rider. Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards referred the matter to the CEO of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board for further investigation.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
