Opera has to work to land odds Opera Gloves landed the odds in the opening maiden at Dundalk but had to work to justify her short price. Mick Halford's charge was sent off the well-backed 1/2 favourite but was under pressure turning for home in the mile event. She hit top gear for Shane Foley inside the final furlong and got to the front in the closing stages to post a length success over Mischief N Mayhem. The winner had shaped with plenty of promise when third here on her debut last month and the market suggested she was expected to open her account this evening. The Sheikh Mohammed-owned Dalakhani filly was 10/11 this morning but was backed into 4/6 and the support continued on course. “She's very genuine and tough,” said Halford afterwards. “She didn't have the best of draws but Shane was always happy with her and she was well on top at the line. “We'll put her away now. She'll stay well next season and will want a bit of decent ground. She'll have no bother with a mile-and-a-half in due course. “She's not the biggest but is fierce genuine.” (Additional reporting by Michael Graham)
