Annie B showed the benefit of two previous runs when justifying strong 5/4 favouritism (from 15/8 on track) to win the Crowne Plaza Dundalk (Fillies) Maiden at Dundalk today, scoring for trainer Joseph O'Brien and jockey Declan McDonogh.

The daughter of Dark Angel finished third and then second on her two initial starts in December and today proved a length and three parts too strong for runner-up Plum Perfect

Trainer O'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell later said “it's nice to get her head in front as she has a lovely pedigree and I think they will breed from her one day.

“She's done that nicely and has progressed on each of her runs. She's taken a bit of time to get there, the owners and Joseph have been patient with her.

“It mightn't have been the greatest race but she's done it nicely. She'll probably stay further one day.

“She's got her in head in front, and in a maiden, so that's the main thing.”

Quotes from Gary Carson