“Never in doubt” quipped Robbie Downey following the running of the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden at Down Royal today as the jockey steered the John McConnell trained Rockview Spirit to an all-out short-head and short-head win in a three-way photo finish.

Rockview Spirit experienced some trouble in-running over a furlong out but once switched to the outer, quickened nicely to eventually poke her head in front at line, to deny Sundance Star and Rita Levi

Afterwards McConnell revealed “Robbie (Downey) said it was never in doubt!

"She shows she's fast and we were a little disappointed with her the last day, although I thought it wasn't a bad race and she could have been in season. She was just a bit quiet so we just freshened her up.

"She has shown plenty of speed and guts to get out of a hole; she didn't get a clear run at a crucial time and he didn't hammer her. I'm delighted.

"I did have my eye on a Listed race in Ayr - it's a five furlong race for two-year-olds and she wants quick ground."

Quotes from Michael Graham