First Response stuck to his guns well to peg back Stranagone close home in the mile maiden at Dundalk tonight.

The front-runner looked to have his rivals in trouble early in the straight but Colin Keane got a good tune from the 9/10 favourite inside the final furlong.

Ger Lyons' charge stayed on strongly to gain the day in the closing stages for a half length success.

The winner had been second at Gowran on his previous start in mid-August and was making just his third career outing today.

Shane Lyons said:- “It was a very good ride from Colin, a very confident ride.

“He's a fine big horse but he's still green. He acted a little antsy in the stalls and was slow away but Colin didn't want to gun him.

“They went a nice true gallop and the second horse did well and didn't stop. He gave him a lovely lead into the straight and our horse was very honest. He ran right to the line, hands and heels.

“He'll be a lovely horse to grow up over the winter, he has to grow into himself.”

It was a double on the card for Keane following on from the opening race victory of Nevereversaynever