Black Martini hung on gamely to land the spoils in the Simplyfruit Handicap at Down Royal.

The Willie McCreery-trained had been placed in a couple of Dundalk maidens last November and was making her handicap debut on her return to action.

Nathan Crosse tracked the leaders on the 8/1 shot and got a lovely split between horses a furlong-and-a-half from home.

The daughter of Street Sense soon hit the front and repelled the challenge of Inflorescence in the closing stages to post a half-length success.

McCreery said: "She's owned by lovely people, Barouche Stud, and I'm delighted to get the first winner for them this year.

"She's a small, little filly but she has a big heart. She's a well-bred filly so it's very important to get a win for her, I'm delighted.

"She stuck it out very well and Nathan gave her a good ride. She's only a small filly and he took 7lb off her back - she only weighs 400 kilos. I thought it was important to get the weight off her.

"She has shown plenty and we'll try and sneak a bit of black type with her before the end of the year. That'll be the aim as she is one for the breeding paddocks in time."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)