Fame And Glory had to work hard to get the job done in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan.
Jamie Spencer held the 2/9 favourite up behind the leaders in the early stages of the 1m5f Listed event before taking closer order turning for home.
The 2009 Irish Derby winner was asked to go after front-runner Fictional Account at the two furlong pole but took time to hit top gear.
The son of Montjeu only got the measure of that rival well inside the final furlong and was ridden out to maintain his advantage in the closing stages.
The lightly raced Nebula Storm finished with a flurry inside the final furlong and was closing on the winner on the run to the line, getting within half a length.
"I'm happy with that and he'll come on plenty from it," said Aidan O'Brien afterwards.
"There are three races we're looking at for him. The Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh over 1m2f, the Coronation Cup (at Epsom) over 1m4f and the Saval Beg (at Leopardstown) over 1m 6f.
"Depending on which one he goes for it will dictate what his plans are for the year."
Jamies Spencer was sitting on the winner for the first time and was pleased with the performance:-
"It's his first start and he done it really smooth. He obviously needed it plenty but it's a nice start and at least he won.
"I was never anxious. It's his first start of the year so you're trying to nurse him, save him and mind him because he's my horse for the year.
"You have to look after him and have to look at the big picture. I didn't want to give him a hard race.
"It worked out nicely and what I really liked was the way he settled so well considering the pace was very messy and stop start."
