Katherine scores on sixth time of asking

On her sixth start Katherine Lee finally lost her maiden tag as she made virtually all to win the LMFM Birthday Bash at Dundalk Stadium Maiden over a mile for her trainer Mick Halford with Shane Foley in the saddle.

Having run well on all of her starts to date the 3yo daughter of Azamour was certainly not winning out of turn.

Given the plum draw in stall number one, the 9/2 shot kept on well to fend off all challengers, scoring by two and a half lengths at the line from Sweet Rhythm at 9/1 back in second with a further lengths and three parts back to The Lodge Road at 6/1 back in third.

Winning trainer Mick Halford said aftewards: "Our horses are hitting form now. They are in good nick. She had enough form to win a race of that calibre.

"She had a good draw and we had to ride her positively. We'll come back here again with her. Shane (Foley) gave her a good ride and is riding very well."

The favourite Dreams And Desires was well-backed from 4/1 to 2/1 favourite on course but finished fifth for Andy Oliver and Fran Berry. Saratoga Baby who was backed from 11/2 this morning into 7/2 at the off was found to be distressed post race.

Donal Murphy