Scatter fends off hotpot Sergei in opener

The Patrick Prendergast-trained Skitter Scatter made her experience pay when running out a game winner of the opening two-year-old maiden at Dundalk this evening.

Ballydoyle newcomer Sergei Prokofiev was sent to post a strongly supported 4/9 favourite for the five-furlong contest and tracked the front-running Skitter Scatter throughout.

He loomed ominously two furlongs from home but when asked for an effort inside the final furlong ran around slightly.

5/1 shot Skitter Scatter kept her head down under pressure and held the hotpot at bay to record a short-head success under Ronan Whelan.

The winner had finished third behind Jungle Jane on her racecourse debut here in late March.

“You can’t beat a run, although when I saw the race and what we were taking on I did consider not running her,`' said Prendergast.

“Her groom Paata (Khvedelidze) who rides her everyday said there is so much fight in her and she is a stakes filly so take a chance. Her owner felt the same way.

“She is the same at home and just wants to get her head in front. She wants six furlongs really but I can’t run her on the turf at the moment as she makes no fist of soft ground.

“She’ll go for the six-furlong fillies (Juvenile Sprint) Listed race at Naas (on May 20th). She’s pure honest and wants to win.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)