BLANC De Blanc (9/4) survived a stewards’ enquiry to make a winning debut in the View Restaurant At Dundalk Fillies Maiden, and was the first leg of a double for Donagh O’Connor.

She drifted right when leading a furlong and a half down and, in the process, hampered 11/8 favourite Astronomically. The leader kept on best, however, to hold the runner-up by a neck for Robson De Aguiar and Amo Racing Limited.

Amo representative Ryan McElligott said: “She wasn’t as alertly away as some of the others, but then she got into her stride and did it the hard way, got a bit lonely in front.

“Might come back here for a conditions race towards the end of February, 40 grand over a mile. That might be the slot for her.”

Off the mark

Beat The Devil stepped up from a trio of third places on the Polytrack to strike for the first time in Division 1 of the New Saddle Bar At Dundalk Stadium Handicap over a mile.

The 10/3 favourite raced in mid-division for O’Connor and improved to challenge a quarter of a mile down. He led with a furlong and a half to travel and readily asserted inside the final furlong to win by four lengths for the Black Steel Square Syndicate.

Patrick Magee said: “He was probably a big baby and I think the penny is only starting to drop. He probably won a bit easy, but we’ll see! He was (rated) 50, hopefully he will get another shot at that grade now.”

Patrick McGettigan, jockey on Brains who was eased to finish in rear, incurred a four-day ban for riding carelessly in relation to an incident shortly after the start.

Hat-trick

Voice Of Reason (11/2) won for the third time in his last four outings on the Polytrack in the Happy New Year From All At Dundalk Apprentice Handicap over a mile and a half.

Hugh Horgan did the steering for the first time and had his mount disputing the lead throughout. Entering the straight, he was headed by Nakasero, but dug deep to get on terms inside the final furlong. His attitude couldn’t be faulted as he edged ahead close home for a half-length verdict for trainer William Delahunty and owner Michael Delahunty.

The trainer said: “I was wondering was he after going fast enough. He was headed, but he stays real well. He has some constitution, I’ve never seen him come off his feed.”

Adam Grant, jockey on runner-up Nakasero, was suspended for four days for excessive frequency with the whip.

GOLDINTHESEA took a step forward from a promising third on debut to get off the mark in the Group Deals Available At Dundalk Stadium Maiden. He moved up a furlong to a mile and went off 6/4 favourite for this assignment.

The No Nay Never colt tracked the leader Flanker Jet and got on terms two furlongs out. He soon took over and kept on strongly in the final furlong to sweep in by three lengths for Joseph O’Brien, and owners Sean and Bernardine Mulryan.

Jockey Scott McCullagh said: “The word in the camp was that they were quite pleased that he had stepped forward from his first day and it was a lovely effort. Got the box seat, got to control the race and kicked when I wanted.”

Redemption

Prairie Girl, who was demoted to second on her last start at Dundalk in December, got back to winning ways in the Floodlit Fridays At Dundalk Stadium Apprentice Handicap over five furlongs.

The 9/4 favourite raced close to the pace and McGettigan sent her on a furlong down.

The Mehmas filly kept on well to see it out by two and a half lengths for trainer Danny Murphy, and owners John Kirkland and Mrs J.M. Ryan.

McGettigan said: “I wanted to make sure I was out and gone, because I knew there was going to be plenty of pace. She is a quick filly, so it worked out lovely.”

Successful plan

A plan came together for Eamonn O’Connell and Georg Zhukov in Division 2 of the New Saddle Bar At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

O’Connell’s recent recruit soon led, but didn’t have things his own way in the straight, as Bella Colombia threw down her challenge and indeed got on terms. Georg Zhukov (7/2 joint-favourite) was tough in the closing stages, though, as Killian Leonard sent him on by two lengths for owners John Dwyer and Mrs A O’Connell.

Trainer O’Connell said: “He was in a few claimers, so we rang Noel (Meade) and we bought him. He is what he is, but it is great to win for the lads.”

PROMINENT-racer Venetian (7/1), in first-time cheekpieces, gave 10lb-claimer Reese Holohan his second winner in the Bar 1 Betting New App Out Now Handicap.

The six-year-old gelding proved too strong for his rivals in the final furlong as he opened up by two and three-quarter lengths for Denis Hogan.

Owner James McAuley said: “Changed something around, a kick in the belly, and let him roll forward. That kid (Holohan) is robbing a claim! He’s a fine apprentice.” Jessica Harrington’s Diamond Exchange sent favourite-backers home with a winner in the Racing Next Tuesday 13th January Maiden. The 9/4 chance wore down Yutori close home to score by half a length for Bronsan Racing, Harry Redknapp and John Breslin.

Jockey Keithen Kennedy said: “She did it in spite of everything there tonight - her trip is a mile and a half and she probably wants a dig in the ground. She wasn’t in love with the surface, but she did it in spite of it. She was even idling a little bit when I hit the front.

“She is going to be a nice filly to look forward to for the summer.”