Black Agnes bolts up for Smyth and Kelly

Black Agnes found plenty from the front to serve up a 25/1 shock in Division One of Dundalk's apprentice handicap.

The three-year-old filly, in first-time blinkers, soon raced prominently from stall 14 before picking up the lead two furlongs into this mile race.

She led by a length and was driven by Shane Kelly coming to the home straight.

As she strode past the two pole, Kelly went for the whip and his mount picked up to be over two lengths clear with a furlong to travel.

Black Agnes didn't relent and increased the margin to three lengths at the line.

The 5/2 joint favourites, Twistsandturns and Manorov could make no impression in second and third respectively.There was a head between the pair for the minor honours. Chatterton finished well down the outside to be just out of the places in fourth.

Northern handler Lee Smyth said: "I thought she was a penalty kick the last day at Ayr but the meeting was called off after we had travelled over.

"I was afraid she was boiling over a bit after that so we gave her a strong bit of work with My Brother, who is rated 87, and she worked well.

"I thought she would take a bit of beating but was disappointed that she was drawn in 14. Shane deserves plenty of praise for the ride he gave her."

Black Agnes hadn't been placed in her four previous starts. This was her second crack at a handicap.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee