"She's tough. She had to battle from the furlong pole. They were coming at her from all angles and to be fair she stuck her head out," said Conor Hoban after he got 14/1 chance In The Dark home in front in division two of the www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap.

Well-backed four to one favourite Our Max harmed his chance by missing the break but he got there with a chance at the business end.

Many still had a squeak from over a furlong out but the victorious three-year-old filly wasn't to be denied and she obliged by three parts of a length from Our Max.

"She came forward from the last day and hopefully can keep improving over the winter. It's great to ride a winner for Mrs Roper who is a great supporter of the yard," further stated Hoban on the Michael Halford-trained In The Dark.

(GC & EM)