Bestrella proved too strong for hotpot Dark Pine when opening her account for in-form trainer Johnny Murtagh at Dundalk today.

The Es Que Love filly, owned by the trainer's wife Orla, slipped through on the inner to challenge two furlongs out and soon hit the front under Ben Coen in the seven furlong contest.

She kept on gamely inside the final furlong and held the late charge of 4/6 shot Dark Pine by a neck at the line.

The 2/1 winner had been placed twice on four previous attempts and was only denied by a neck at Gowran on her penultimate outing.

“She had a little break after Tipperary, Johnny freshened her up, and she came here bouncing today,” said Coen.

“She jumped, travelled sweetly and quickened up turning in. She got to the line well and she'll probably improve from it as well as she had a little blow.

“I'd be very happy with her. She keeps pulling out. She's simple as you can make the running or take it easy with her. She has a good attitude.”