She may have been pretty uneasy in the market at the track but that didn't stop Ashton Rose defying top-weight in division two of the www.dundalkstadium.com Apprentice Handicap under Ronan Whelan. The Intikhab filly was in the process following up a course and distance success from 28 days back.

It was hard earned in the finish for the Tracey Collins-trained four-year-old as she got home by a neck and the same margin from Overnova and Daisy Mountain There was a further two and a half lengths back to the gambled-on and never nearer Tamujin (25s into 8s) in fourth.

Tracey Collins said afterwards: "Ronan gave her another super ride and he did well to get across from that draw (11 of the 14 horse field).

"She was tying up at the finish and Ronan was very strong on her. She is a very genuine honest filly and we're delighted with her.

"She has taken to the surface a lot better than I expected and we'll see how she comes out of this before we make any plans. She'll let us know."

The twenty five minute interval between races didn't work out as this 7.10 was off five minutes late at 7.15.