Norman Invader sprung a minor surprise when landing odds of 14-1 in the Go And Go Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh.
Having failed to get off the mark in four previous attempts, the War Chant colt belied his starting price to gain top honours in the six-furlong Group Three contest.
Colm O'Donoghue was content to sit just behind the early leaders before asking his mount to quicken approaching the distance, at which point Norman Invader picked up well on the outside.
Leading inside the final furlong, he stuck on well to deny 25-1 outsider Perfect Polly by a head, with the Aidan O'Brien-trained 2-5 favourite Great Barrier Reef a never-nearer third.
Winning handler Ken Condon said: ‘The good ground helped and it just took a while to get everything right.
‘He's the type of horse that needs to be produced late and be given a confident ride, which he was given by Colm today.
‘He's always had plenty of ability, which is why we've kept him in decent company.
‘There is a new race over a mile on the turf at the Breeders' Cup and we could go there, but we won't run again here unless the ground is right.’
