Well-backed 5/4 favourite Midnitemudcrabs delivered for John Feane and Gary Halpin in the opening www.dundalkstadium.com Fillies Claiming Race.

Two others — Maysonette and Melisandre — were there with big chances at the business end. Midnitemudcrabs wasn't for beating on this occasion though, and she fought them off by three parts of a length and half a length.

Halpin said of the all-the-way victor: "She jumped and she travelled away. She had a good run here the last day and probably got tired in the last 100 yards. She came forward from her last run. 

"We were lucky we only took her home from the Sales the other day. She could be fun over the winter. 

"Johnny said to keep it simple and let her travel away. She seemed to settle okay. She never has trouble settling, she just tends to be a bit gassy early on but she was good today. 

"She jumped and travelled well and finished out her race well. Long may it last."

There were seven claims for Maysonette and Andy Slattery was drawn out - 8,000 Euro.

(MG & EM)