Midnight Soprano made most of the running to claim the Bennettsbridge Rated Race at Gowran Park.

Chris Hayes was keen to get to the front early on the 11/4 favourite (6/1 best in morning) but didn't panic when headed by Whipless before the straight.

The Paul Deegan-trained filly reclaimed her lead with under two furlongs to run and battled well to see off her rival by three-parts-of-a-length.

It was the first start of the season for the daughter of Celtic Swing, who had also scored on her final outing last term when taking a Navan handicap at 25/1.

"She's a lovely mare and is from a great family. They get better with age and keep progressing," said Deegan.

"She's not as comfortable on that ground as her sister (Celtic Soprano). We'll see what the handicapper does and maybe try to find something similar."

(GC & AM)