Scotland Forever stuck his head out gamely to land the spoils in a tight finish to the six furlong maiden at the Curragh.

Tadhg O'Shea made the running on Scotland Forever but was strongly pressed by Wexford Opera inside the final furlong.

That rival edged ahead in the closing stages but was pipped on the line as the Pat Shanahan-trained runner got his head back in front where it mattered.

The stewards had a look afterwards with the front pair drifting right in the closing stages but the result stood.

The 9/1 winner had been third at Gowran last time when no match for runaway scorer Tobann

“He was game and is a grand horse,” said Shanahan afterwards.

“It's great to get a winner here. The horses are well and are running well. He's in tomorrow (at Navan) and we'll see how he pulls out in the morning.

“Of my last ten runners nine have been in the first four and he was the only one out of the money when his saddle slipped in Gowran.”