GORANE gave Henry de Bromhead his first ever juvenile winner by landing the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden at Dundalk.

The daughter of top sprinter Dream Ahead appreciated the drop to six furlongs from the seven furlongs of her debut outing, and was always up with the pace.

Pennsylvania and Ice Canyon tried to get past her, but Gorane would not be denied and flashed past the post half a length to the good to spring a 20-1 surprise in the hands of Declan McDonogh. Pennsylvania pipped Ice Canyon to the runner-up spot.

The winner carried the colours of the trainer's wife Heather, and De Bromhead said: "I'm delighted. It was a great ride by Declan. Wayne Lordan rode her the last day and thought she was really nice but just very green. She knew her job today. She's tough. We always liked her at home but wouldn't have too many to compare her to. It's nice to see her come out and do that.

"That's my first two-year-old winner ever so I'm delighted to get it. It's in the boss' colours as well so it's even better! She's definitely there to be sold. Declan really liked her. She's tough and stayed on well. She did all the donkey work."

Dark Alliance was last to leave the gates in the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Apprentice Handicap and still had plenty of work to do straightening up. But Robert Smithers switched the 9-2 chance to the outside and he came with a sustained run to collar Stamp Of Authority 100 yards out, before going on to triumph by three-quarters of a length.

"I'm delighted for young Robert. He's been with us for a while now and things are starting to happen for him," said trainer Michael Halford. "He's riding well and gave him a lovely ride as he's not the easiest. The race needs to unfold for him and he kept a lovely cool head.

"The horse deserves it, he had some decent form. He holds an entry in the horses-in-training sales next week and we'll see where we go now. I have to thank the owner for letting Robert stay on him. He gave him a good ride the last night and it was good to be able to take the 7lb off."

Halford followed up when the Shane Foley-ridden Yamato (9-1) came from the rear to land the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap by three-quarters of a length from Live Twice.

"He had some good runs. We weren't always certain that he gets a mile so I told Shane to drop in and hope they go hard," said Halford. "It worked out right on the night for him as they went a good gallop early on. He settled away and did well to get the gaps. He has threatened to do that. He's very straightforward and we'll keep going with him."

ONE-TWO

War Secretary led home a one-two for Aidan O'Brien in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden.

Seventh in the Curragh maiden won by Van Der Decken in May, in which brilliant stablemate Churchill was third, the son of War Front tracked over from stall nine to race on the heels of the pacesetting Jock Talk. Donnacha O'Brien sent the 11-4 chance to the front early in the straight and he ran right the way to the line to account for the running-on newcomer Homesman by three and a quarter lengths.

O'Brien jnr said: "He's a gorgeous-looking big horse. On his home work he was probably very similar to Seamus' (Heffernan) horse (Homesman) but he had that bit of experience, which probably paid. Their first run is all about education, especially him as he's a big, gross horse. The form has worked out very well.

"There is plenty of size and scope with him and he should improve with every run. I got a grand lead into the race, a nice target, and he quickened up nicely when I asked him to go about his business. He won't have any trouble getting further."

Mo Henry ran a good race for third at Navan a week ago and proved versatile with regards to surface by claiming top honours in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap under Danny Sheehy. The 9-2 shot went toe to toe with Strategic Force and More Kudos in the closing stages and got the verdict by a neck and a head.

Trainer Adrian Keatley said: "He's a bit of a monkey but is well up to it at that level when he puts it in. Hopefully we can get another one or two out of him. Danny's 10lb claim is very valuable but unfortunately he won't have it for long."

Free Running defied top weight to land the www.dundalkstadium.com Fillies Claiming Race.

The 15-8 chance, who struck on her first start for John Feane at Laytown before finishing fourth in handicap company here, came with her run along the inside and proved three and three-quarter lengths too strong for Intense Stylist.

Feane said: "She ran a blinder here the last day and was dropping back in class. I thought it was a good opportunity for her and thought she was my best chance of a winner tonight. She's done well for us, winning twice and finishing fourth, and she'll go to the sales at Goffs."

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