Two first-timers came to the fore as Tuff Love touched off Jon Ess in the Elusive Pimpernel Maiden (Plus 10 Race) at Dundalk.

Ger Lyons has care of Tuff Love for David Spratt, and that 7/2 shot, ridden by Colin Keane, denied the layers a 'screamer' as he short-headed Conor O'Dwyer's 33/1 chance Jon Ess.

"We're delighted by that. He took a little bit of time to come, being a Casamento, but we always liked him," said Lyons' brother Shane.

"He was bought knowing he'd need time so we gave him the time and these races are just fitting in lovely for us in the winter.

"If he didn't win tonight it wasn't the be all and end all as there was another race for him in three weeks.

"We knew he had class and that class got him up there. Colin said he was very very green.

"He's a proper miler and wouldn't want it too quick in the summer.

"We're not surprised what he's after doing. We'll take it from there but he will improve a lot.

"There is a winners of one in four weeks which could fit in ideally but we'll see what Ger says.

"He'll tell us when he comes home. He's an absolute gentleman of a horse. He's never been away and that's his first real hard piece of work."

(GC & EM)