Finsceal Annie and Declan McDonogh© Photo Healy Racing
Runner-up over a mile at the track earlier this month, Finsceal Annie coped admirably with the drop back in trip when landing Division l of the Dundalk Stadium Gift Vouchers Available Online Handicap at the County Louth venue.
Lightly raced on Polytrack, the Ciaran Murphy trained filly had failed to get involved on her only other previous visit here but subsequently showed improvement once switched to turf.
After showing definite promise back on the all-weather surface last time, the 4/1 chance went one better here under Declan McDonogh.
Held up in rear of mid-division early on, McDonogh moved into the first half dozen at half-way. Briefly pushed along entering the straight, Finscael Annie quickly came back on the bridle over two furlongs out.
Moving up travelling well to challenge leader Velvet Skies over a furlong from home, the eventual winner soon went on, before holding the late run of Nikki Swango to score by a head.
Ciaran Murphy said: "They went quick and she was sort of off the bridle a bit, but he (McDonogh) said after halfway she came on it and he said she won nicely then.
"She's been extremely consistent all year, she has been an absolute gem.
"I'd say that is it now, she is going to have a break now. She has been busy and I just said to the lads that I want to finish on a high, on a good note.
"She's a lovely syndicate horse, she keeps turning up.
"She could possibly come back here in February, she is going to have a month off or maybe six weeks.
"There's no hurry in her now, she has done her job."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
