Chesterton made the breakthrough on his third start, as he claimed the Tote Supporting Racing With Pride Maiden.

A first winner of the season for trainer Ger O'Leary, the three-year-old was sent off a 9/2 chance under seven-pound claimer Jake Coen.

Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the son of Slade Power was prominent in the early stages, getting to the front after two furlongs.

Ridden and pressed over a furlong out, the Sue Lenehan owned gelding responded well to pressure and stretched clear in the closing stages, coming home two lengths to the good. Are We Dreaming (10/11f) had every chance under Nathan Crosse but ultimately had to settle for second, while newcomer Texas Sun (9/2) ran on well, finishing a further head back in third.

Assistant trainer Adrian Joyce said: "We didn't actually have the plan to make the running but he (Jake Coen) used his own head and went on, and he battled away well.

"I thought that the ground was actually gone for him when I came up here. He didn't really handle it in Cork the last day when it was slower. His run in Gowran was a better run than his one in Cork.

"I think the cheekpieces kept him honest there when he was on his own in front. He made his mind up and focused a bit better in front.

"He has a lot of ability and he probably is a little bit tricky. This was the plan today to try and win a maiden with him. After that, he could be sold or we could go for a winners' race.

"We've had a lot of close ones so it is nice to get a winner.

"Jake is very, very good and is a talented guy. He is going to be one of the stars of the future."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham