Kadra wins her maiden before winter break

The well-backed Arch Sting was foiled in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, as Kadra one of only two fillies in the nine horse line-up, returned successfully to the fray on her first outing since June.

Kadra, an Aga Khan daughter of Holy Roman Emperor, having her third outing, and first on the polytrack at Dundalk, built on pleasing efforts at Navan and the Curragh in May and June, to justify her position at the head of the market (9/4 joint favourite).

Kadra, under Shane Foley, proved stronger than Arch Sting inside the final furlong, with the winner's fellow market leader, Qatari Hunter back in third.

Winning trainer Michael Halford said: "She grew so we took our time with her. She's a nice genuine filly and stays well. A mile will be no problem for her next year.

"She had the form in the book and it's great to get the winning bracket. That will be it for this year."

(AM & EM)