Versilia Gal made the breakthrough in the opening six-furlong maiden at Cork but had to work hard to justify her short price.

The 1/3 favourite cut out the running, under Pat Smullen, in the juvenile fillies contest but came under pressure early in the straight.

The Footstepsinthesand filly changed her legs and looked unbalanced as she was tackled by Truly Madly on the rail and Indigo Ridge on her outer.

The tail swishing Truly Madly, carrying 2lb overweight, held a narrow lead entering the final furlong but experience told in the closing stages.

Versilia Gal got her act together late on to assert and record a neck success over the 14/1 outsider with Indigo Ridge third.

It was a fourth career outing for the winner, who had been placed on her three previous starts at Dundalk.

Winning handler Pat Martin, who also had a runner up in Downpatrick, was not on hand to welcome back his winner.

Gary Carson