Catalyst hung on grimly to gained an overdue win in the opening fillies maiden at Wexford this afternoon.

Paddy Twomey 's charge had been placed on all on her previous six outings, and was runner-up on five occasions.

The 13/8 favourite hit the front turning for home, under Connor King, and soon asserted. Alveena chased her down inside the final furlong, however, and looked like getting on top close home but Catalyst stuck on gamely to gain a nose success.

"I'm happy with that. Connor gave her a lovely ride and it's nice that she won," said Twomey.

King added:- "She jumped and travelled real well. She's grand and straight-forward but was just a little bit leery in front on her own. She deserved that today.

"She was just doing enough and when the other horse joined me she actually stuck out her head a little bit.

"I wasn't really sure if I had held on but Leigh Roche thought I had so I was confident then."

(Additional reporting by Donal Murphy)