RACING:MARK JOHNSTON was full of praise for Dundalk after saddling Below Zero to success in the valuable Bar One Racing Handicap.

North Yorkshire trainer Johnston has a fine record at the all-weather venue, but was making his first visit in person.

Making the most of a good draw in stall one, Fran Berry soon grabbed the rail to blaze a trail in the six-furlong event.

The Reaper was sent off the 4-1 favourite and followed him into the straight, but Below Zero (15to 2) streaked clear to oblige by four lengths.

Johnston said: “It’s the first time I’ve been here myself and I’ll definitely come back.

“I’m very impressed. It’s a lovely track and a real nice track for viewing.

“You’ll definitely be seeing more horses of mine here now I’ve seen the place. The prize money is so bad at home.”

He added of the winner: “This horse has been a little bit in and out and he needs things to go his own way.

“He had a good draw today and pinged out. He’s hard to peg back from the front.”

Johnston had contrasting fortunes with his other runner, as Oceanway finished last in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund August Handicap.

Meanwhile, Paul Hanagan was a happy man after guiding Rose Blossom to a deserved Listed-race success in the EBF “Showcasing” Flying Fillies’ Stakes at Pontefract.

Few in training have as much early speed as Richard Fahey’s four-year-old, but she has been hard to win with, albeit invariably keeping very smart company.

Her last success had come over this trip of six furlongs at York in July last year, and she made the most of an uncontested lead on this occasion, seeing her race out well to beat Darajaat by a length and a quarter.

Favourite Dever Dream was short of room when looking poised to throw down a strong challenge and having to settle for fourth, just behind the Kieren Fallon-ridden Desert Poppy.