Percy may have had ground to make up with easy-to-back odds-on favourite, Tang Dynasty after their meeting at the Galway festival, but Ger Lyons' charge brushed aside that fact to win the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden (Plus 10 Race) at Killarney.

The signs were ominous for Tang Dynasty well before the straight, whilst up front Drake Passage (2/1 second favourite) looked like he might maintain his advantage all the way to the finish line.

However the Colin Keane-ridden Kodiac victor proved to be a determined foe, and he got there close home to edge the verdict by half a length.

There was four and three parts of a length back to Tang Dynasty in third.

"He wasn't sold at the sales but Roger Marley was my man at the sales and liked him. I like Kodiac (stallion) and said I'd take a chance on him and Roger called it from day one saying he just wants a trip," said Lyons.

"He probably should have been second at Galway - Colin taught him his job and it was the winning of today's race. He's a good genuine horse but that is as fast as he wants it."

(TW & EM)