Opera proves tough

Grand Opera battled well to take the mile handicap at Dundalk under Declan McDonogh.

The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding hit the front from Avanti Albert just under a furlong out and rallied well to hold the renewed challenge of that rival by a head.

"He's a nice horse. We gave him a run at Wolverhampton and he came on well from that," said Elliott.

"There is an £18,000 handicap at Wolverhampton in two weeks time and he'll go for that.

"He won't go on real winter ground over hurdles so we'll give him a couple more runs on the Flat and then give him a break."