DUNDALK-stalwart Inishmot Prince was the first leg of a double for Tom McCourt and James Ryan when blasting home to get up on the line in the Dundalk Winter Series Leading Trainer & Jockey Championship Handicap.

Ryan conjured up a strong finish from the six-year-old gelding after the pair were checked inside the final furlong.

The 11/4 shot got up by a nose to grab his ninth victory on the sand at Dundalk for owner Oliver Curtis. Ryan has been on board for all nine victories.

McCourt said: “He just got stopped at the wrong time as well and just had to snatch him up. He always does it the hard way!

“Newcastle for the All-Weather Championships is definitely what I am looking at now. I’d probably rather go to Newcastle (than Lingfield). He deserves to get a decent pot at this stage.”

Arbaawi made his third start for McCourt in division 1 of The Dundalkstadium.com Apprentice Handicap, and it was a winning one.

The four-year-old son of Invincible Spirit stayed on well for Ryan after picking up the lead in the final furlong.

He came in by three-quarters of a length at 20/1 for Mrs Pauline McCourt and the Don’t Ask The Wife Syndicate.

The trainer said: “I bought him at the Horses in Training Sale at the end of October. He handled the all-weather and he handled soft on grass. He looks very versatile and I just said at three and a half (thousand) I had to take the chance at that kind of money. I got a few lads together for him and I still own half of him.”

Market support

Tarsus was strong in the market ahead of The Book Online @ DundalkStadium.com Race and the money was well founded as he overturned 10/11 favourite Harry’s Bar.

He had plenty to find at the weights with Harry’s Bar, but got first run on him a quarter of a mile out and soon powered clear under Declan McDonogh.

The even-money shot kept up the gallop to win by two lengths in the colours of Mrs P Harney.

Trainer Andy Slattery said: “I didn’t think we would beat Harry’s Bar, but there was good prize money. We thought we would have a crack.

“There’s another conditions race here in a month’s time and he might run in that. We’ll take it from there as it comes.”