Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen continued their fine start to the season when combining to take the opening Freshford Fillies Maiden with newcomer Catherina in glorious sunshine at Gowran Park yesterday.

The daughter of Sadler's Wells swept past Aspiration, who was also making her debut, at the furlong pole and drew clear to score by two and a half lengths. "She will come on a fair bit for that run, and with some luck I would expect her to be a stakes filly," said Weld.

Healso outlined running plans for his star three-year-old's in the coming weeks. "Major Force is in good order and will go for the Irish 2,000 Guineas. I will decide next week whether Mus-If goes for the Irish or French Guineas, while I will be represented by either River Canyon or Port Bayou in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday," said Weld.

Tony Martin has his string in top form at present, and Falcon Du Coteau kept up the good work when landing a touch in the Gowran Park Handicap Hurdle. Shay Barry had the French-bred 5 to 2 favourite up with the pace throughout and he kept on well to beat Commanche Lodge by five and a half lengths.

Meanwhile at Navan, Persian Life made all for a very easy win against just two rivals in the featured Leinster Petroleum Handicap Chase. Barry Geraghty's mount blundered three out but still had plenty in reserve for a wide margin victory over top-weight Merry Gale. The latter could make a quick reappearance at the upcoming Killarney Festival meeting, while Noel Meade has no specific plans for the winner who will be kept on the go over the summer.

John Oxx, who belatedly opened his account at Gowran Park on Sunday, doubled his tally for the season when Sister Bella swooped late to edge out favourite Peach Out Of Reach in the opening 10-furlong EBF Race. The Sadler's Wells filly will go next for the listed Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes at Gowran Park on June 3rd.

Aidan O'Brien and Mick Kinane went one better later on with Theatreworld in the EBF Race. The dual-purpose seven-year-old was driven out inside the final furlong to deny French import Fantastic Quest, and will now be aimed at the Murphys Irish Stout Handicap Hurdle at Killarney on Sunday.

Val Royal, put in the Vodafone Derby at the second entry stage, made a bright start to the season with victory in the Listed Prix Matchem at Chantilly.

Andre Fabre's charge made it two wins in as many starts when trotting up by five lengths from Eighty Two in the nine-furlong contest.