Sea The Lion has proved a great money-spinner for connections and made it four handicap wins in just over 12 months when coming out best in a thrilling finish to the Cork Derby.

The Sea The Stars gelding is owned in partnership by trainer Jarlath Fahey’s wife Suzanne and rider Ronan Whelan’s mother Kathleen, and again showed great guts to get the better of a protracted battle with well-backed 7/4 favourite Gustavus Vassa

The lightly-raced seven-year-old gelding rewarded supporters at odds of 10/1 when edging the verdict by a nose, with top-weight Tandem three and three quarter lengths back in third.

Fahey said, “He just barely does enough to get there the whole time, and I thought it was very fine today. He’s tough out and Ronan said he just keeps finding and finding for him.

“It was a lovely ride by Ronan again even though he was drawn out wide. He was able to get his run the whole way and didn’t get stopped.

“It’s nice to have a Derby to add to the CV! Last year he needed time between races but he’s a different horse this year. He’s more lively at home and showing he’s more up for the game.

“We’ll see what the weather does as he needs genuine good ground not firm.”