Settlement a maiden no longer

Settlement made the breakthrough at the eighth time of asking in the apprentice maiden over seven furlongs at Dundalk.

The Kingman filly had put together a trio of third places on her last three starts and delivered here at 4/1.

She was always in the box seat behind Cuban Confusion and came home best to collar him in the closing stages.

The winner went on by a length and a-half from the 9/4 joint favourite. Ateenosix was another three and a-half lengths away in third at 14/1.

James Ryan said: "She has been very consistent, she has just been a bit unlucky.

"I was talking to Mr Weld before the race and he just said to get her settled in her own rhythm. In fairness, she settled lovely.

"I hit a bit of a flat spot coming past the three (pole) but, once I grabbed her up again coming up the straight, I always felt like I was going to get on top of the horse that finished second. She did it well.

"Mr Weld said to keep it straightforward and we got a lovely run around. Kept it simple and settled well, and thankfully it worked out.

"A filly like that could get a bit of confidence from getting her head in front and is very well-bred, and has been running very well in some very good maidens.

"Hopefully she will get a bit of confidence from that and improve."