WAYNE Lordan signed off for the year in style at Dundalk on the Friday night before Christmas with a treble on the card.

Lordan, who starts a new job in Ballydoyle next month, struck twice for his current boss Tommy Stack and also proved successful on his first ride for Aidan O’Brien’s son Joseph.

Stack, who is due to hand over the reins to son Fozzy next March, initiated his brace in the opening contest when the well-backed A Shin Impala got back to winning ways. The 7/2 favourite was produced to lead a furlong out by Lordan and stuck on well in the closing stages to beat Dance Alone by a length and a half.

“He’s been a bit disappointing since winning here in the spring,” said Fozzy Stack. “We tried the cheekpieces on him tonight and they worked. He’ll most likely go to the horses-in-training sale at Doncaster,” he said of the K Hirai-owned winner.

Thunder Speed stepped forward from his debut effort at the track earlier in the month when getting off the mark in the second division of the Elusive Pimpernel Maiden.

Lordan produced the son of Dylan Thomas to lead over a furlong out and he held the late charge of Thomas O’Malley to record a half-length success at odds of 6/1.

“He was a bit disappointing here on his first run. He’s not a bad horse - a nice horse,” said Fozzy Stack.

“He belongs to a Hong Kong client Mr Chiu. He owned a good Dylan Thomas horse in Hong Kong, a horse called Blazing Speed. I’d say he’ll end up in Hong Kong eventually. It’s just a matter of when.”

Lordan is looking forward to joining the Ballydoyle team in mid-January and it would be no surprise if Joseph O’Brien was calling on his services more after the pair teamed up for the first time with Song Of Love in the concluding 10-furlong handicap, in the colours of the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate.

The 6/1 shot came with a strong run to lead inside the final furlong and it was stable-mate Udogo who came through to chase him home, a length and three-quarters behind.

“It’s been a good night. Joseph thought he had a good chance. He was dropping back in trip and he told me to take my time and that he enjoys coming through them,” said Lordan.

“We went pretty quick so it suited him when they started dropping back. He quickened up well and done it well at the line. Obviously he’s after winning over a mile-and-a-half and he gets a mile and a half. That’s my first ride for Joseph and first winner so it’s great.”

There was also a double for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane on the card and a timely one for the yard’s staff who were due to celebrate with a Christmas party after racing.

November Tale flashed home to narrowly grab the verdict in the first division of the Elusive Pimpernel Maiden in the colours of Sean Jones.

The even-money favourite just got to the front at the line to gain a short-head verdict in a tight three-way finish. Jackmel and Time Constraints dead-heated for second.

“We took a gamble over seven furlongs but it paid off. She wants a mile now and definitely a mile and a quarter next year,” said Shane Lyons.

“She’ll be a nice filly. She’s after blooming in the last few months. She has really come to herself and has a beautiful coat on her today.

“She’s a typical Casamento and will make a nicer three-year-old. We’ve always liked her. There wouldn’t be much for her now and she’s done her job now as a two-year-old. We’ll treat her with a bit of respect.”

The Paris Shrug gained an important win when completing the brace for Lyons in the mile and a half maiden.

Keane got to the front over a furlong out on the 9/2 shot and she held Sitting Bull by a neck to open her account.

“She was very professional. It was very important she got her bracket because she is a half-sister to Big Orange,” said Shane Lyons.

“Breeding-wise it’s very important for her. It’s only her third run and she’s improved at home every month she’s been with us. Her family seem to be an improving family.

“Her main thing this year was to win because the owner (Patrick Cosgrove) is a breeder. It’s the first horse we’ve had from him so we’re delighted.

“We’ll have a good think now to see whether we’ll try for some blacktype or whether she goes in foal. That’ll be the owner’s decision.”

There was a decent pot of €24,000 for the seven-furlong feature event and Ishebayorgrey emerged on top for Pat Martin and owner Raymond Moore.

Danny Sheehy came in for plenty of praise from the trainer after producing the 8/1 shot from off the pace to lead inside the final furlong and record a length win over Shepherd’s Purse.

“He worked really well last Saturday,” said Martin. “My one worry was whether this young lad would get on with him but he did exactly what I asked him to do. I said there would be a hard pace and let him find his own level and keep him covered for as long as you can.

“It was a smashing ride and he looks a very promising young fella. This horse has improved all the time and he loves this place.

“If you can get a hard pace and a bit of cover he puts in an effort now. He wasn’t always as resolute as he is now but he’s getting tough.”

Johnny Murtagh has enjoyed a stellar campaign and signed off on a high when Keukenhof took the 10-furlong apprentice handicap on the card.

Denis Linehan led a furlong out on the well-backed 4/1 shot and she kept on well to hold Like A Prayer by a neck.

“That’s 35 winners for the year. I targeted 25 so we’ve had a great year,” said Murtagh. “She handles the track well and I thought she’d win a couple of races this year. The handicapper seems to have her level.

“We’ll keep her going for January and February. She’s paying her way and she’s a grand filly.

“She’ll probably get a bit stronger next year.” The filly is owned by Martin McHale.

The mile nursery produced another good finish with Jim Bolger’s Slaney Street sticking to his task well to land the spoils.

Rory Cleary’s mount got the better of George Boole inside the final furlong to record a half-length win at odds of 10/1.

“Rory said he handled the surface well, obviously he’s ran here a couple of times, and off that weight he was entitled to be in the picture,” said Ger Flynn of the Jackie Bolger-owned winner.

“We thought Joseph O’Brien’s (Eagle Spirit - finished fourth) would be a massive danger but he ran below par and we’ll take the opportunities when we can. He stuck at it really well and a step up to a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half next year could be in the plans. It good to get it at Christmas and a nice €10,000 bonus for the boss.”

ACTING STEWARDS

N.B. Wachman, L McFerran, J.G.J McCoy, R. Macauley, P.D. Matthews.

HORSE TO FOLLOW

SITTING BULL (A.J.Martin): He ran well to finish second in the mile and a half maiden and should be taking a similar contest before long.