New Society was well supported before racing and justified that confidence with a game front-running performance in the apprentice handicap at Down Royal.

Keith Watson's charge had been as big as 7/1 this morning and eventually went off 4/1 having touched 2/1 earlier.

Sorcha Woods was soon in front on the Rock Of Gibraltar gelding and he responded well in the closing stages to repel all comers. Strip Light was the last to launch a challenge but couldn't find a way past the tenacious New Society as he hung on for a head victory in the extended mile-and-a-half contest.

Assistant trainer Marshall Watson said: "I worked him on Tuesday at the Curragh and I was pretty confident that he would win. I phoned the boys and I think they took the 7/1 this morning. Job done!

"We were going to hold off for Galway on Tuesday but I feared he might not get in and I'm only 40 minutes up the road from here.

"He will go for a three mile handicap hurdle on Thursday at Galway off 113 and I'm pretty confident he is better than that over hurdles. A step up to those marathon trips will be in his favour.

"If he doesn't get in there, he will go on the Sunday for a 0-75 over two miles on the flat.

"He is (a tough sort), people were knocking him on his last two runs - I had to run him quickly in Gowran Park because of the penalty and then I took him to Ayr and he didn't do anything right. If you took those two runs out of it, he has been consistent.

"Everybody involved in this horse, that is the first horse they have been involved in. Subsequently they have gone and bought their own personal horses since.

"Sorcha is very good off the front, a very good rider in general and this is only her first season on the flat. You'd be surprised it is her first season.

"She is down to 7lb now but she easily claims off bottom weight and is strong and does what she is told."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)