Chocquinto gamely scored by a head in the five furlong apprentice handicap at Down Royal.

The 16/1 shot made good headway to lead narrowly entering the final furlong and saw off the challengers. Hodd's Girl kept on well in the final furlong to close on the winner in second at 11/2. She was a neck in front of Arnhem (10/1).

Jockey Sam Ewing said: "Look she's game. She's not the most straightforward and it's good to see things came right on the day for her.

"She's a real sprinter and the track just suited her."

Martin Ferris, representing trainer Hilary McLoughlin, said: "It wasn't a shock when she won in the Curragh last summer but she didn't progress from it.

"She got a bit weak and we gave her a break. She came back stronger but was slow away in her races. She was a bit slow away again today but we have done plenty of work with her and, if she breaks, she can be competitive.

"She is in Cork next week under a penalty and we'll see what the handicapper does."