Walhaan kept up the gallop off the front under Joey Sheridan in the extended 1m2f handicap at Dundalk.

The 7/2 shot looked to have a serious challenge on his hands when even-money favourite Emeric began to hunt him a furlong and a-half down.

Walhaan wasn't for relenting, though, as he fought for the line and beat the favourite by half a length. Tara Power finished his race off nicely in third at 8/1.

Trainer Ciaran Murphy said: "To be honest, if it was the day before over hurdles (sixth in Leopardstown), we really fancied him. The rain came that night and just spoiled our chances but he ran a cracker.

"We put him away after that and said we would have one run. We hope to go to Lingfield on Good Friday with him now, that's the plan if he gets in. This was a pipe-opener for that."

On the upcoming Flat season, he added: "We have 15 two-year-olds this year and we have 30 Flat horses.

"We are not going to rush the two-year-olds early, we are going to take our time with the ground being soft. Mid-summer is what we are aiming for and then onwards after that.

"We are looking forward to it."

Walhaan also won over course and distance in November.