The John Oxx trained Corbata was made work before justifying long odds-on favouritism (2/7f) when making it third time lucky in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden at Dundalk this evening, under jockey Declan McDonogh.

Backed from 4/5 in the morning, the son of Invincible Spirit needed to battle to eventually beat Split The Atom by half a length.

Oxx wasn't present but afterwards McDonogh stated “I wanted to get him settled as he tugged a little in Cork, so I got a lead off the two boys.

“He travels quite well but doesn't do a whole lot in front. He deserves a break now and might be a nice three-year-old.

“He goes on that and on soft ground so will have plenty of options next spring.””

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson