PAT McKenna enjoyed a notable success with Catch The Paddy in the feature Dundalk Stadium Gift Vouchers Available Online Handicap.

Carrying the colours of McKenna and his son Emmet, after being purchased for just 3,500gns at Tattersalls in October, the No Nay Never four-year-old was available at 33/1 in early shows, eventually going off at 16s.

Soon in front under Rory Mulligan, the former Kevin Ryan inmate had all his rivals off the bridle with less than two furlongs to go, keeping on well when ridden inside the final 200 yards to beat Exquisite Acclaim by two lengths.

“It was a hot enough looking little race and he did it well,” Mulligan remarked. “He kept finding the whole way to the line and he was a nice little buy.”

While having to settle for second on Exquisite Acclaim, Jamie Powell was earlier successful aboard Never Shout Never in the opening Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

Reverse the form

Beaten into second by the reopposing Sporting Hero over six furlongs the previous Friday, the Stephen Thorne-trained victor managed to reverse the form dropping back to the minimum trip.

Sent off 7/2 co-favourites along with Make Clear, the pair came to the fore inside the final 150 yards, with just a head between them at the line.

“Jamie said the last day when he got off him that the six (furlongs) probably stretched him,” Thorne, who trains the winner for Shamrock Thoroughbreds & Selby, disclosed.

“Hopefully, he can progress through the winter months.”

GETTING a deserved win to her name, Liltia completed a double for Willie McCreery when taking the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Maiden.

Out of Lily’s Angel, who was beaten by just half a length in the Matron Stakes of 2013, this well-bred bay had been placed four times from her six previous starts.

Sent off a 3/1 chance under Wayne Hassett, the Clodagh Mitchell-owned winner made progress to challenge when pushed along over a furlong from home.

Edging to the front when ridden inside the final 150 yards, she kept on well from there to beat Dahab by a neck.

“She wasn’t winning out of turn,” McCreery reflected. “She’s small, but has a huge heart. She tries very hard and you couldn’t ask for more.”

McCreery’s Morning Approach earlier had a much simpler time of it in the first division of the Friday Night Lights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

Returned an easy to back 4/1 favourite (from 11/4), the six-year-old bay raced in mid-division under Jack Kearney, switching wide entering the straight.

Skipped clear

Owned by the Morning Approach Syndicate, she got to the front a furlong and a half from home and soon skipped clear, eventually easing to a six-length win.

“Jack was very positive on her, sat in a lovely position and she loved that. He gave her a lovely ride,” McCreery explained.

The second division of this mile contest went the way of Nedita, who was providing David Marnane, Luke McAteer and MRC International with their fifth win of the winter campaign.

The €32,000 yearling purchase had been disappointing of late, but still came in for some market support, going off a 15/2 chance after touching 12s.

Soon settled in second by McAteer, the 59-rated bay got to the front early in the straight and found plenty when ridden over a furlong out, eventually coming home two and three-parts of a length to the good.

“We took everything off him today and decided we would be positive,” McAteer revealed.

“We thought last year as a two-year-old he might win a little maiden and progress, but between one thing and another, it didn’t happen.”

A TEENAGE dream came true for Ballynoe, Co Cork native Shay Wallace, when he partnered San Andreas (25/1) to victory in the concluding Book Online At DundalkStadium.com Handicap.

Registering a first success on his ninth ride, the 17-year-old guided the Joseph O’Brien-trained eight-year-old to a half-a-length win on what was his first try over a mile and a half.

Despite proving easy-to-back, the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate-owned bay had a good tussle with the front-running Tribal Star inside the final two furlongs, before getting on top close home.

“I can’t thank Joseph and the owners enough, they have been very good to me,” Wallace enthused.

“I did a bit of pony racing last season, which I think was a very big grounding for me. I went to RACE in September of last year and, from there, I got sent to Joseph. I’m with Joseph about a year now and loving it.”

First win

While San Andreas was registering a ninth career win, Just Another Eagle (6/1) was recording her very first in the Now Racing Every Wednesday At Dundalk Apprentice Handicap.

On what was her 16th start, the 46-rated four-year-old was never far from the pace under promising apprentice Robyn Donaghue-Leahy.

Trained by Pat Flynn and owned by his wife Catherine, the bay victor gained a narrow lead a furlong and a half from home, keeping on well when ridden in the closing stages to hold off the late surge of Billie Frechette by a neck.

“She broke well and switched off - once they do that, you are in with a chance,” the winning rider divulged. Yet another talented young apprentice claimed the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Maiden, with Nicola Burns guiding the Adrian Murray-trained Ardagh Red to victory in this 11-runner heat.

A runner-up on debut last month, the Cotai Glory chesnut came in for strong market support and was returned a 5/4 chance, having touched 5/2.

Owned and bred by Tony McLoughlin, the market leader made virtually all and, while briefly joined early in the straight, he regained an outright advantage over a furlong from home, keeping on well to score by a length.

“He had a lovely first run and we thought the step up a furlong would be ideal,” Murray reported.

“It’s Nicola’s first ride for me and she would be very friendly with the owner. She’s an up-and-coming rider and is going to be a good jockey.”