Sweet Annathea and Rory Cleary © Photo Healy Racing
Sweet Annathea sprang a 20/1 shock when running out a convincing winner of the first division of the seven-furlong handicap at Dundalk.
Rory Cleary teamed up with his father Tom on the Barathea filly, who got on top inside the final furlong.
The outsider edged out at the furlong pole to launch her challenge and hit the front inside the distance.
She pulled clear in the closing stages to record a comprehensive two-and-three-quarter length victory over 3/1 joint favourite Roter Baron
The other market leader Samollie had cut out the running before giving way inside the final furlong to finish sixth.
The winner was breaking her duck at the 14th attempt and Cleary senior admitted she had proved somewhat frustrating:-
“The horses are running well – in fact they've probably never been as good.
“We were tempted to throw in the towel a few times with her but thank god she's come right tonight.”
Michael Cleere was in trouble with the stewards for using his whip when out of contention on eighth placed Pesdivo and was given a three day suspension.
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
