Vallambrosa (nearest) puts her head down while Coral Beach does the opposite © Photo Healy Racing
Vallambrosa just prevailed in the opener at Fairyhouse, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, scoring under Donnacha O'Brien for his brother Joseph and mother Annemarie.
Beaten a neck into second on debut at Limerick, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor then finished fifth of seven in a Group 3 contest at the Curragh.
Sent off the 6/4 favourite this afternoon, the bay victor went straight to the front.
She was pushed along and went a few lengths clear over a furlong out, however she was reeled-in and strongly pressed in the closing stages by Coral Beach (9/4 to 15/8), with just a nose separating them at the line.
The Aidan O'Brien trained runner-up came with what looked a winning run inside the final furlong, but a high head carriage certainly didn't help her cause.
The front pair went three and a quarter lengths clear of newcomer Chocolate Music in third.
Donnacha O'Brien said afterwards: "I think Seamie headed me but she put her head down the last 50 yards and kept trying. She had more experience than most of them and has a good attitude so there was no point in taking her back too much.
"I think when she goes seven and maybe a mile she'll be better again."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
