Star strikes for O'Briens

Lone Star drifted slightly in the betting on track but got the job done in the mile maiden at Dundalk for Aidan and Joseph O'Brien.

80/1 outsider Scooping took them along but gave way over a furlong from home as Joseph O'Brien drove his mount into the lead.

He galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a two-and-a-quarter length success at 6/5 (opened 10/11).

Scooping just lost the runner-up spot close home to Bobby's Heart Flare Of Firelight was backed on track from 6/4 into 11/10 favourite but could only finish a well held fourth.

Lone Star had finished down the field on his debut in a Curragh maiden last October but ran well here last month when second to Not Your Call

“He's progressed since the last day. He might go for a winners' race and we'll see where he slots in,” said O'Brien senior afterwards.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)