Veil Of Stars thundered home down the outside to swoop for the spoils in Dundalk's claiming maiden. Zeb's Fantasy was well clear turning into the straight in this seven furlong contest but she was ridden with less than two furlongs to travel and the petrol soon ran out. Windsorlot and Matriarch raced past her approaching the furlong pole and looked to have the race at their mercy.

Veil Of Stars had other ideas though. She had improved to third at the furlong pole and then showed good acceleration to collar Windsorlot with 100 yards to race.

She kept up the gallop to score by a length under Ross Coakley at 11/2. Windsorlot had to be content with second at 6/1 with Society Ranger (16/1) keeping on for third.

Winning trainer Dick Brabazon said: "I thought she was nearly entitled to win as she'd a nice run the last day here in a good maiden. This was a drop in class.

"Ross gave her a lovely ride as she can be a bit buzzy. I'm delighted for him as he worked hard to claim the 3lb. He doesn't often do 8st 6lb."

Veil Of Stars wore a hood for the first time on this her third racecourse appearance.

On her last outing she finished fifth in an apprentice maiden over course and distance at the start of last month.

Tony Mullins claimed Veil Of Stars for €10,000.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee