A REVELATORY winter campaign for Political Policy continues to go from strength to strength. Gavin Cromwell’s charge defied yet another career high rating in the mile and a half handicap to leave connections contemplating a further step up in class.

Now a six times handicap winner at Dundalk since late September, the Frank Lynch-owned gelding was trying this trip for the first time and he did so off an exalted rating of 93. With handicaps now starting to look a thing of the past for the Bushranger gelding, the All Weather Championships at Lingfield on Good Friday could be a possibility for this relentless improver.

Sean Corby was once again on board Political Policy (6/1) who improved to hold every chance a furlong and a half from home. He soon edged ahead of the hat-trick chasing Saga Bolton and kept on determinedly to carry the day by a neck.

“He surprises me every day and he obviously just keeps his best for this place,” exclaimed a delighted Cromwell. “I’d love to get him qualified for the All Weather Championships but the first qualifier here isn’t until early March so I may bring him across to England to try and qualify him. He just got the trip tonight but I think a mile and a quarter is better for him.”

HALFORD

Earlier, the useful looking Roman Impero was an utterly dominant winner of the Big Bad Bob Maiden to get the year at Dundalk off to a fitting start for Michael Halford. The trainer ended 2015 as the leading trainer at the track and Roman Impero, his first runner on the polytrack in 2016, was returned a red hot 1/2 favourite to oblige.

The Holy Roman Emperor three-year-old showed plenty of promise when chasing home Alphonsus at this track last month and this didn’t look at all as strong a race. Conor Hoban’s mount cruised into the lead a quarter of a mile from home and stretched nicely clear to come four and a half lengths ahead of Chewy Round Town.

“He had the experience and he was entitled to do that on what he showed last time,” said Hoban, who was wearing the colours of Singapore owner Eric Koh. “He’s still learning and he’ll come forward again, he’d a good look around when he got there.”

The very capable Chiclet (3/1) bagged the five-furlong handicap to make it four wins from her last five starts over this course and distance. The Gary Halpin-ridden filly showed in front from early on and was still going smoothly entering the last couple of furlongs. The 20/1 chance Primo Uomo soon launched a strong challenge but Chiclet responded well to pressure to get on top again in the closing stages, prevailing by half a length.

“Gary’s 5lb claim made a big difference. He gave her a polished ride, he gave her a breather when she needed it and got her out good and smart,” commented Tracey Collins, who trains the winner for Fran Donnelly.

INDUSTRIOUS

Ishebayorgrey (10/1) showed that he could be set for another industrious year by landing the seven-furlong rated race for Pat Martin and Kevin Manning. The Ray Moore-owned gelding, who won four handicaps last year, picked up to lead approaching the last furlong and stuck to his task well to contain a rallying Marise by a neck.

“Kevin rode a winner for Ray, a hose called Lucky Spring, in Sligo back in 2007. We were delighted to be able to use him again and he rode him to perfection,” stated Martin. “Six or seven furlongs is a good trip for him and he likes it here so he’ll coming back again.”

OLDER HORSES

Rock On Rosie, who won twice over hurdles in August, improved on a couple of runner-up finishes earlier in the winter to capture the older horses’ maiden over a mile and a quarter. The 5/2 second favourite responded well to Ronan Whelan’s promptings to master the favourite Jimmy Kelly and she finished with two lengths ahead of Belong.

“She’s a very consistent mare. She’ll get a break now and hopefully we’ll have a bit of fun with her over the summer,” reported Adrian Joyce who trains the winner for Geraldine Devine.

Whelan then recorded his fourth double of the winter season as Shukhov claimed the second division of the 47-65 rated 10-furlong handicap. The 5/2 favourite had to carry top weight and he was 10lb higher than when successful here in November but he won with plenty to spare.

The Seamus Mannion-owned gelding was travelling smoothly when he edged into the lead inside the last quarter of a mile and the race was soon in safe keeping.

“I really fancied him and he got a copybook ride from Ronan. It’s a good way to start the year,” remarked Johnny Levins.

HUSSEY SUCCESS

Michael Hussey notched up his first success of the winter campaign as Excelli defied top weight with some authority in the 47-65 rated handicap over a mile. Aidan Howard’s charge was 11lb higher than when winning here in October but he could have defied an appreciably stiffer rise.

Excelli (9/2), who is owned by Gordon and Ebba Pate, surged away from the chasing pack early in the last furlong and was eased down to score by two lengths.

A back to form Hello Humpfrey sprang a 16/1 surprise under Robbie Downey in the first division of the 47-65 rated handicap over 10 furlongs. The Peter Casey-owned and trained seven-year-old won twice over this course and distance in November 2013 but hadn’t struck since and he had slipped to a career low rating of 48.

After looking on from the rear, Hello Humpfrey swept through the field in the straight to strike the front inside the last furlong, defeating Honor Oak by a length and a half. The well backed 6/4 favourite Swift Harry had to settle for fourth.

Acting Stewards

P.N. Reynolds, A. Byrne, J. Rearden, J.F. GillespieH. Hynes

HORSE TO FOLLOW

DEEDS NOT WORDS (J.F. Levins): Formerly a useful type in Britain, this 33/1 shot showed signs of returning to form when finishing fifth in the rated race won by Ishebayorgrey. He need not impove too much on this to win.

Lame

IN The Dark, who finished second favourite for the handicap won by Excelli, was found to be lame after the race.