Brendan Brackan enjoyed victory in the Tote Irish Lincolnshire at Naas on his return to the track following a 162-day absence.
The eight-year-old edged out well fancied stablemate Sea Wolf to claim the honours for trainer Ger Lyons as jockey Gary Carroll guided him past Aussie Valentine to win by a length and a half.
Sea Wolf was third, a further length back, while Tribal Path stuck on for fourth place and Richard Fahey’s raider Spring Offensive came in fifth.
Lyons had already enjoyed a win earlier in the day courtesy of Gymkhana but he was delighted to see Brendan Bracken defy the odds to come out top.
He said: “To be honest we fancied Sea Wolf more, but you can’t beat class.
“He’s been an absolute legend for the yard, and hopefully he can win another stakes race this year.
“I’m delighted for Gary as well, as he’s a big part of the team. He got a lovely split on the inner and he just took off.
“I have 90 boxes and they are all full. Whether or not they will be full in June is another matter as I’m more about quality than quantity.
“I have been in awe of Gordon Elliott and what he’s been doing all winter, and the one thing I have learned from him is to run them.”
