The Paul Deegan trained newcomer Well Caught proved a well backed winner of the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Auction Maiden at Dundalk today, scoring nicely under jockey Conor Hoban.

The daughter of Zoffany overcame a wide draw in seven before eventually moving to the front over a furlong out, for a comfortable length and three parts of a length win over Go Kart

Market moves for Deegan's runners more often than not, prove correct and following today's well backed (5/1 this morning into 7/2 second favourite) winner the trainer stated “she's always shown loads and we've always thought she was smart – one of the better ones.

“She may go to the Curragh for the Debutante and either five or six furlongs wouldn't bother her. I was half tempted that if she ran well today she'd take her chance in the Debutante and things might not change, she might run.”

He added “the five today was a bit of a concern with the draw and her lack of experience but Conor (Hoban) said it's a long time since he had one pick up as well.

“She didn't have a hard race and is a lovely laid back filly and will grow more.”

Jockey Gary Phillips received a seven-day suspension for attempting to weigh out with an "unapproved body protector" before riding Megans Legacy in the race.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson