Tombelaine (left) and Endless Drama battle it out© Photo Healy Racing
Tombelaine booked his ticket for the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas later this month when making a successful reappearance in the Power EBF Tetrarch Stakes at the Curragh.
Pat Smullen 's mount challenged the 11/8 favourite Endless Drama at the furlong pole in this seven furlongs Listed event, and stayed on best inside the final 100 yards.
The easy-to-back 11/2 chance prevailed by half a length, with a gap of nearly five lengths back to The Warrior in third.
Winning trainer Dermot Weld said, "He ran four times last year beating Highland Reel first time before running against Gleneagles, John F Kennedy and Ol' Man River.
"He's a tough colt and will obviously appreciate better ground. This is a logical prep race for the Irish Guineas and he'll take his chance now in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
"He was working well and my only concern, being an American bred and very effective on good ground, was how would he handle that much cut in the ground.
"If he doesn't run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas then he could go for the Jersey Stakes."
