ARCANEARS bounced back to form to claim the feature event at Dundalk last Friday night, repeating his success of 12 months ago in the same race.

Michael Halford’s charge had been well held in recent outings and went to post a 12/1 shot for the €21,000 handicap over six furlongs.

The Arcano gelding missed the kick slightly but was soon chasing the leaders and was produced by Mikey Sheehy to lead over a furlong from home.

The 3/1 favourite, Laugh A Minute, pressed him hard in the closing stages but couldn’t find a way past, going down by half a length.

“The handicapper will tell you he’s 16lb better on the all-weather than he is on the turf, and it’s obviously right. He just loves it here and he had a beautiful draw,” said Halford.

“Mikey is great value for the 5lb and I’d say that made all the difference. I’m delighted for his owner Carol Roper, she’s had horses with us for a long time and she’s a very loyal supporter of ours.”

Arcanears turned out quickly at Laytown on Monday but found El Padre just too strong in the finish of the opening six-furlong handicap.

Good finishes

The sprints on the card produced some good finishes and Theriverrunsdeep came with a well-timed run to claim the preceding 45-65 event over the minimum trip.

Seamie Heffernan got a nice split to lead inside the final furlong and secure a three-quarter-length win on Seamus O’Donnell’s filly. The winning rider said of the 16/1 shot: “The trainer is a good friend of mine. I’ve sat on this filly a few times and it’s a surprise she hasn’t won before now. She’s a big filly and maybe she was just a bit weak.”

In the opening five-furlong maiden the Donnacha O’Brien-trained Orinoco River gained an overdue win under a cool ride from Gavin Ryan.

The 9/4 favourite, owned by the Coolmore partners, travelled smoothly into contention in the straight and Ryan asked her for an effort with ‘hands and heels’ in the final furlong to lead close home for a half-length win over Jarvis.

“She’s a filly we thought a lot of early on. It was good for her to finally get her head in front, as it’s been a bit frustrating with her but she definitely has the ability,” said Ryan.

Winning return

Jonathan Moore rode his first winner since returning to the saddle when Big Dream took the Crowne Plaza Hotel Maiden on his first outing for Anthony McCann.

The Oasis Dream gelding was soon in front in the mile contest and kicked clear under two furlongs out.

Despite drifting right in the closing stages the Rita Shah-owned 16/1 shot had three-parts of a length to spare over Je T’ai Porte at the line.

The winner had only cost £2,500 at the July Sales and McCann said: “We were told he wasn’t a bad horse and to take a chance on him. He’s very well bred.

“It’s great for Johnny to get back on the board, he’s back riding out for me every day.”

The following BetVictor Handicap was another close finish with Punk Poet rallying gamely to claim the mile contest.

Declan McDonogh was soon in front on the 4/1 joint-favourite but he was joined passing the two-furlong pole by fellow market leader Chavajod. There was little between the pair in the closing stages with Eddie Lynam’s charge just finding a bit more in the dying strides to secure a head victory.

“He was tough and battled well. He’s a good horse, he’s not a very good horse, but he’s a good horse and he’s tough,” said the trainer.

Dreams delivers

The Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap was divided to form the eight race card and Dreams Delivered edged the verdict in the first heat to score for Darren Bunyan and the Do Well Syndicate.

Jamie Powell was always prominent on the 12/1 shot and the Morpheus gelding found a bit more late on to edge out International Lady after a good tussle inside the final furlong.

“Thank God, that’s the first photo we’ve came out the right side of all year! I’ve never had as many seconds since I started training,” said Bunyan, who went on to score another winner at Laytown on Monday.

Conor Maxwell gave Ellabella a well judged front-running ride to claim the second division for trainer Andy McNamara and owner Dr Margaret Heffernan.

The 11/2 joint-favourite soon opened up a healthy advantage and had just enough left in the tank late on to hold Clatter Bang by a head at the line.

Chris Hayes used contrasting tactics on Guild in the concluding mile-and-a-half handicap as Luke Comer’s charge came from the rear to lead over a furlong from home.

The 12/1 shot kept on well close home to hold the late challenge of Nibiru by a neck.