Mutahadee was one of the picks of the parade ring owing chiefly to his size for the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden at Dundalk. The market suggested that tonight wouldn't be his night but he defied a price of 20/1 in the hands of Wayne Lordan.

Never far off the gallop, Tommy Stack's son of Encosta De Lago travelled well into the straight where he got a nice run through on the inner. He then fended off the challenge of the favourite Asheerah from over a furlong out to score by two lengths.

Lordan said: "He's massive but he's always gone well at home. He is laid-back and we were afraid that he'd be too green for here first time out.

"He jumped out and travelled well though and he picked up to win the way he had been working. He'll be a nice horse for next year."