JOHNNY Murtagh and Shane Kelly teamed up for a 44/1 double highlighted by the victory of Final Voyage, who looks set to head back for the All-Weather Championships on Good Friday after landing the featured Put The Fun In Fundraising At Dundalk Handicap.

The six-year-old gelding was patiently ridden by Kelly in this mile event with the well backed 5/1 chance getting up in the closing stages to beat Hightimeyouwon by three-quarters of a length. Cian Mac Redmond, rider of the runner-up, was given a four-day whip ban.

The Camacho gelding, who carries the colours of Racing Revolution, was last seen in the winner’s enclosure on Good Friday at Lingfield last year and Murtagh indicated he may head back to the UK saying: “He’s a horse that loves the all-weather and is a gentleman to have anything to do with. There might be something at the All-Weather Championships for him at Newcastle.

Play late

“We stepped him up to seven the last time and he stayed on nicely. He just missed a piece of work during the week because the grass was so soft so I said to Shane to drop him in, get him to relax early and then hopefully play him late. He gave him a great ride.”

Pascalia completed the double when getting off the mark on her first Polytrack start in the Book Online @ DundalkStadium.com Handicap. The Churchill filly, 28/1 in the morning and sent off at 13/2, was never too far from the pace and got on top in the final 100 yards to beat Bucky Larson by a length.

“She was a filly that always had a bit of ability, but it’s just taken her a long time for the penny to drop,” said the Curragh trainer.

“We put the cheekpieces on her today and she’s still a bit starey but hopefully she can keep improving and win another one or two for the (Brunabonne) syndicate. They have had great luck with Mashhoor and this is their second horse.”

SORCHA Woods was seen to good effect when partnering her 10th winner aboard Collective Power in what proved a highly competitive Racing TV Club Day Handicap. The 9/2 shot had to wait for a gap to appear about a furlong out and quickened up nicely when getting in the clear to beat Musical Tribute by a neck.

“I thought he’d gone a little bit moody and wasn’t finishing out his races,” said Eddie Lynam who trains the six-year-old for Sabina Power.

“Sorcha is in with us a few mornings a week and was very good on him. It was a very messy race, one minute 15 and change for good class sprinters.”

Pepper Noir, runner-up on her previous two starts earlier this month, went one better in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

The 7/2 chance was prominent throughout in this mile event and after being brought over to the favoured stand side by Gary Carroll in the straight, kept on well to beat promising newcomer Hasna by a length and a quarter.

“She’s consistent and it’s nice to win a maiden for her,” said Gavin Cromwell who trains the daughter of Outstrip for Maria McCullen Harvey. “She’s a genuine filly and pretty versatile in terms of trip.”

Made most

Alexander John (14/1) took the other maiden on the card when making most in the View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Maiden.

The son of Dick Whittington, who ran in the Irish 2000 Guineas and the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, was scoring here at the 16th attempt and asserted early in the straight for Declan McDonogh to beat Lauroline by a length and three-quarters.

Jim Gorman, assistant to owner/trainer/breeder Luke Comer, said: “He was the best horse in the race if you go back through his form, I couldn’t see him being beaten. Deccy was positive, got him out and he stays the seven furlongs well.”

JOHN McConnell has built up a successful association with Keithen Kennedy in recent weeks and the pair teamed up again with Noble Crusade in the DundalkStadium.com Apprentice Handicap.

The son of Noble Mission won decisively nine days ago and despite a 10lb hike in the ratings, the 5/4 favourite followed up in equally impressive fashion stretching clear in the final 150 yards to beat Maura’s Gift by two and a half lengths.

“He’s just hit a vein of form. They went a good lick, which probably helped as he stays very well,” said McConnell who trains the gelding for the enthusiastic No More After Hours Syndicate.

“It’s great to have the lads here. They are staying up for the night - they’ve come from Limerick and elsewhere.

“He could step up to two miles, that would be an option. He’s handicapped over hurdles, and I’d say he’s probably a two-mile, five-furlong horse over hurdles. He’s a fun horse.”

Owner John Breslin was on hand to greet Nibiru after the dual-purpose gelding justified good support in the Floodlit Friday Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap. Daniel King’s mount didn’t enjoy a clear run early in the straight but flew home inside the final furlong to pip Palace Rock by a nose.

“I thought our chance was gone turning in, but it was probably the winning of the race for him, getting stopped,” said trainer Tony Martin of the 12/1 winner who was as big as 40/1 overnight.

Backed

Western City was backed as if defeat was out of the question in the concluding Dundalk Winter Series Leading Trainer & Jockey Championship Handicap, but the money went astray on the 1/4 favourite as Gesture made virtually all and kept on gamely for Shane Foley to beat Signor Ferrari by a length with the hot-pot a further length away in third.

“He’s tough and hardy. We hoped the step up in trip would bring out improvement and I think it did,” said Eoghan O’Neill who trains the 4/1 winner for Brid Cosgrove and Melissa O’Neill.

“We’ll probably wait for the grass as he’s been busy enough over the winter. Shane feels he might be better on the grass.”