DENIS Linehan continued his good form at Dundalk by steering Rock On Dandy home in front in the two-mile ASM Chartered Accountants Race.

Linehan, who struck with his only two rides at last week's meeting, was content to watch on from the rear on Fergal Birrane's grey as Asbury Boss cut out the running.

Zaofu hit the front approaching the furlong marker travelling well, but Linehan had Rock On Dandy motoring down the centre of the track and only needed hands and heels to get the 100/30 shot home by two and a quarter lengths.

Birrane said: "We knew from his work at home that he could do a bit more than a mile and a half, but the way he won today impressed me. He took a hold at the start and got a bit buzzed up but Denis did a good job and got him settled.

"He could go hurdling in the future. We haven't schooled him yet but we're hoping he'll jump them.

"It's been a lucky place for us here. We have a Polytrack gallop at home and we also have the beach (at Killala, Co Mayo) so it suits us here. We have more coming in for the grass in the next couple of weeks."

DOUBLE

Reckless Lad (100/30) came out best in a three-way finish to the alska Swedish Cider Handicap.

Red Avenger looked the likely winner when cruising up to tackle long-time leader Carried, but found less than expected, whereas Reckless Lad stuck his neck out for Killian Leonard to deny the rallying Carried by half a length.

Trainer Pat Martin said: "Everything was in front of Killian and I thought he judged it to perfection. He felt a furlong out that Red Avenger was running all over him and that he had to go then to have any chance.

"He switched up the inside and picked up really well for him, and battled when he had to then."

Martin and Leonard then made it a double when Easy Boy (15/2) took the last, the 12-furlong Visitcarlingford.com Handicap, by half a length from Pillard.

War Hero continued his excellent run of form with an all-the-way win in the Shabra Charity Race.

Patrick Prendergast's colt had finished in the first two on his previous five starts and Ronan Whelan was able to dictate terms to suit himself on the 4/5 favourite.

His main market rival Boragh Steps emerged as the chief danger, but War Hero had plenty more to give and stuck to his guns to register a length-and-three-quarter verdict.

Ross Coakley produced Storm Ryker (9/2) with a perfectly-timed challenge to land the Hibernia Steel Apprentice Handicap for Michael Halford.

MAIDEN

Highly Approved broke through in the Dundalk Stadium Business Club 2018 Maiden.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained 11/2 chance took the lead off Luna's Luck a furlong out and Wayne Lordan kept her going to score by three-quarters of a length.

Lordan said: "She had been running very consistent. Her early form was good enough to win it, and back to six (furlongs) wasn't a problem. She was drawn a bit wide but she jumped good and I was able to get a good position."

Nivvo was second to Zaofu at the first meeting of the year here, and went one better in the Celtic Adventures Fillies Maiden.

The 8/11 favourite raced in second until taking it up at the top of the straight, and Pat Smullen kept her up to her work to dispose of Cavelli by three-quarters of a length.

It was the Dylan Thomas mare's 12th start, and trainer Tracey Collins said: "She was due that and, in fairness, she's been very consistent and has run into some good horses in her maidens.

"She has a good pedigree and it was important that she won a maiden. We dropped her back because it was a fillies' maiden and Pat gave her a lovely ride. She quickened well and put it to bed, really, turning in.

"I'd have no problem running her again over a mile or further. Tonight is the first time she was drawn well and Pat made full use of it. I think she won because it was a strongly-run mile."

READ THE FULL DUNDALK REPORT IN NEXT WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD