Alabama finally opened his account at the seventh attempt when justifying odds of 4/9 in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Dundalk.

The No Nay Never colt is bred in the purple being a half-brother to Sioux Nation and was prominent throughout here under Colin Keane.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained odds-on shot, who was second twice in Listed company, was pressed by Emerald Banner inside the final furlong but kept on well to beat that rival by three quarters of a length. Jakku was a further three and a quarter lengths away in third.

Keane said, ""He has (forged on well), I'd say a quick surface around a bend suited him as well.

"With his rating and his runs, he was entitled to do that but I'd say that surface and going round the bend really helped him over that trip. He enjoyed that surface.

"He's a real good, low-actioned horse."

Quotes by Michael Graham