Mr Lincoln served up a 40/1 shock in the opening mile maiden for three-year-olds in Cork.

Joseph Murphy 's Dark Angel colt was unplaced on his sole start at this track last season, but it was an altogether different story today.

He came off the bridle in mid-division inside the final three furlongs but found plenty to improve his position at the two pole.

Gary Carroll rode him to get closer racing to the final furlong and the grey really found his stride in the final furlong to go on with The First And Last with 100 yards to go.

Mr Lincoln edged ahead close home to score by a short head from the 11/1 runner-up. Firm Handshake was a length and a half back in third at 20/1 from 33s. Dutch Gold s fifth place could be marked up as he didn't have room behind horses in the straight.

Murphy said: "He is named after Abraham Lincoln as he was a tall man and I thought it would be a nice name for a big horse. He is very well-bred, I had him in the Irish Derby and I'm sorry now I took him out of it."

He added: "We loved him last year, but were disappointed with him when he ran here. We brought him home and he scoped rotten but he is a good horse and will be better with age.

"He is a big three-year-old, we'll mind him and I think he has filling out to do - what will he be like in six months time. He is a good horse and I love him.

"We'll aim for the Gallinule (at the Curragh) now - I think he'll love another furlong or two." 

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes