Little Queenie rules in Dundalk opener

The Paul Flynn-trained Little Queenie brought up her third victory on the Polytrack in Dundalk when seeing off Dontspoilasale by a neck in the opening five-furlong handicap.

The 7/2 favourite tracked the leaders and came through to dispute the lead a furlong and a-half down. She led narrowly a furlong from home and was game in seeing off Dontspoilasale (12/1) at the finish. Dream Today was a length and a-quarter away in third at 20/1.

Robert Whearty said: "She's real tough - she's probably not the biggest in the world, but she's hardy.

"The last day ground probably caught us out a little bit. She got a bit excited beforehand in the stalls and just gave herself a little bit of a knock. She just didn't feel 100 per cent herself.

"She felt 100 per cent there today.

"I jumped kind of to make it if nothing else was going to make it. I was happy enough to see Seamie (Heffernan on Dontspopilasale) and Wesley (Joyce on Maggie McGrath roll forward and I ended up in the box seat.

"I didn't feel the need to go around them but, as soon as I got into a battle, she toughed it out well.

"Paul is below in Kilbeggan there today and I'm very thankful to be getting the rides and opportunities off him."

This was Little Queenie's fifth career success as she also scored on turf at the Curragh and in Naas.