Odds-on Queen gets the job done in Tramore opener

While sent off the warm order favourite, Riviera Queen was made to work hard for her win in the opening Morris DIY Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.

A runner-up on two of her four previous starts, the Jessica Harrington-trained grey was available at 5/4 in early shows for this mile-and-a-half contest, eventually going off the clear market leader at 4/7.

Racing in third on the outer in the colours of Dan Kiely, the daughter of Camelot took much closer order with half-a-mile to race.

Pushed along into a share of the lead with just under two furlongs to go, the market leader had to pull out all the stops in the closing stages to beat Settlement by a neck.

The first one off the bridle, the runner-up was returned a 5/1 chance under Leigh Roche for Dermot Weld.

"She didn't handle the track a bit. She is a big girl and battled it out well," Kennedy reflected.

"She has a lovely big stride and is a gorgeous moving filly. A nicer track will bring out the best side of her.

"She gets the mile-and-a-half real well, especially out there as it takes a bit of getting. We took them on early and made it into a real slog. She'd be able to step up in trip at a nicer track.

"That's my first ride at Tramore and thank God we're off to a good start.

"That's my 24th winner now and I have six more on my 7lb claim."