Manjeer and Ross Coakley lead Turnberry Isle in the closing stages© Photo Healy Racing
The John Oxx-trained Manjeer sprang a 20/1 shock when just edging the verdict in the colts and geldings maiden at Leopardstown.
Ross Coakley was soon prominent on the son of Footstepsinthesand and he kicked for home turning into the straight.
11/8 favourite Turnberry Isle chased him down inside the final furlong and after the pair flashed past the post together it was revealed that Oxx's charge had just held on.
The winner had finished mid-division on his debut at Limerick a fortnight ago.
“He ran well at Limerick in terrible ground when he was quite green and he sharpened up a lot today,” said Oxx.
“I thought he was done, that the second had beaten him. Ross said he was in front plenty long enough and he was looking about him, losing his way and getting a bit lonely in front.
“He thought he would have been unlucky if he was beaten but certainly the second horse finished very well.
“He has come on a lot, he loves fast ground and he has plenty of speed. He'll probably go another furlong and he's quite a useful horse.
“We've liked him at home and I thought he'd run well at Limerick but the ground turned up very heavy on the day and he couldn't cope.
“He'll go at Dundalk, he goes on fast ground, and he could be one for the Patton Stakes in March. That might be the next time he runs.”
