BERGAMASCO sprang a 10/1 surprise for Jack Davison and Ronan Whelan in the featured Patton Race over a mile.

Just the three runners went to post for this €40,000 contest, and Navy Seal (4/5 favourite) and Nerano (5/4) tussled for supremacy inside the final quarter of a mile, however, neither had answers when patiently-ridden Bergamasco swept by inside the final furlong.

After Whelan drove him home by a length and three-quarters for the JPD Partnership, Davison said: “A big, honest horse that loves a gallop. He is a horse that has thrived up here and obviously gets a mile well. He likes the surface.

“Ride the race to suit the horse and he likes to come from off the pace. Like any horse, it is important that he relaxes early and breathes. He came home strongly and I don’t think another two furlongs would be a problem either.”

Whelan promptly doubled up aboard Mary Bagot (6/1) in the Dundalk Winter Series Leading Trainer & Jockey Championship Handicap.

Anthony Rogers and Mrs Sonia Rogers’ filly wasn’t winning out of turn having finished runner-up in her last two starts in Dundalk.

Whelan worked her to the front a furlong out and she was strong over the remaining trip in coming in by two and a-quarter lengths for Michael Halford and Tracey Collins.

Collins said: “She has had two solid runs and it was good to get her head in front. We had to step her up in grade because there was no 47-65, but she has handled it well.”

KHADAASH stood in the stalls for a considerable time in the Peter K. Hits The Big 50 (Q.R.) Handicap, but that was far from the only drama in this two-mile race.

Wrecking Ball Paul soon led under Kevin Healy and moved clear half a mile into the race.

The 18/1 shot kept piling on the pressure and was virtually a furlong clear with three furlongs to race. He came in unchallenged by 15 lengths for the Crane Crew Syndicate and gave Healy his first racecourse success.

The jockey said: “Paul (Mulligan, trainer) is good to ride for. The horse cruised away and I didn’t realise how much of a gap I got. There was no point in taking a pull then (five furlongs out) because I realised how much horse I felt under me. He’s a good horse and will be a nice one for a summer handicap.

“I’m 17 and from Kinnegad. I’m looking all the time for opportunities.”

The stewards interviewed the other 12 riders that completed the race and they were all found to be in breach of Rule 212.A.(ii) in relation to timely efforts to achieve the best possible place. They were all banned for five race days.

In addition, Khadaash was suspended for 30 days over his behaviour at the start.

Stott on the mark

Kevin Stott travelled over from Britain to ride the Ecurie Ama Zing Team’s Cow Chico in the Willie Buckley Memorial Maiden and it proved to be a facile task for the 1/3 favourite.

Joseph O’Brien’s Frankel colt was in the box seat behind Flippity Flop and readily took over in the straight. He kept up the gallop to come in by three and a quarter lengths.

Stott said: “Everything went to plan, quickened up really nicely from the three (pole) and hit the line good.

“Obviously, with a little bit of company I’m sure he would stretch a little bit further. He did it nicely and hopefully a progressing colt going forward.”

Shock win

The 37-rated Maestro Stick was a shock 66/1 winner of the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Claiming Race for Phoenix Bloodstock Syndicate.

Robert Whearty raced him towards the rear and the pair got rolling in the final two furlongs. They improved to lead narrowly 150 yards out and just held on by a nose from Hezahunk in a driving finish.

Trainer Keith Clarke said: “I was only running him to get him up a few pound to get him into races because it is so hard to get in. I’ve spent the last two months trying to get him in.

“He ran well over 1m2f and he stays, but we said we would try him over six (furlongs) as he has loads of speed.”

Whelan, rider of Hezahunk, was given a one-day suspension for frequency with the whip.

There was a friendly claim on third-placed Tai Sing Yeh.

GENESIS (11/2) put in a power-packed performance off the front in the Book Online @DundalkStadium.com Maiden over six furlongs.

Luke McAteer steered him into an early lead and the three-year-old gelding was strong at the business end as he closed it out by a couple of lengths.

Trainer Barry Fitzgerald said: “He (McAteer) made his mind up and said we are going forward.

“He’s a homebred. We actually won this race two years ago with his half-brother (Dandy Warhol, so it is good for Michael and Ruth Foley. They bred him and they have the mare (Diamond Rio).”

Ado McGuinness’ Hightimeyouwon justified 5/2 favouritism for Shamrock Thoroughbreds in The DundalkStadium.com Handicap by a short-head from stablemate Exquisite Acclaim.

Jockey Cian MacRedmond said: “He is going to be rated closer to 90 after tonight’s win, but there could be a nice pot on the turf again for this fella. I’d say preferably seven (furlongs).”

Paddy Harnett conjured up a strong finish from owner/trainer Luke Comer’s Dark Street who got up close home to beat Picpoul by a neck at 4/1 in the Put The Fun In Fundraising At Dundalk Handicap over a mile and a-half.

Assistant trainer Jim Gorman said: “He gave him a very, very good ride. A mile and two at a fast pace or a mile and a-half is no problem to him. He loves it here.”