Song For Whoever stayed on strongly in the closing stages to run out a decisive winner of the opening six-furlong maiden at Dundalk.

The John O'Donoghue-trained gelding broke well to lead before being settled behind Red Sky At Night after a furlong.

Ronan Whelan 's mount travelled well to challenge early in the straight and the son of Galileo Gold kicked on over a furlong from home.

The 11/4 shot was pulling away at the line to beat Stormy Entry by three-and-a-half lengths.

It was a third career outing for Song For Whoever who had been second over course and distance in September before a slightly disappointing effort to finish eighth over seven furlongs the following month.

Whelan said: "After the first day, we thought maybe he might be a horse that got seven (furlongs) and physically he looks like a horse that probably would but, as the year has gone on, he has actually probably got stronger and quicker with it.

"It felt like a bit of work for him there now, he did that well. He looks like a horse with a future. He's quite a good mover and he'd like a nice surface and he enjoys the track.

"It is great to ride John a winner, he is very good to me and hopefully it will be the first of many."

(Quote by Michael Graham)