Cape Blanco was made to work hard to land odds of 1/5 in the Group 2 Galileo Futurity Stakes at Fairyhouse.
Johnny Murtagh had the Ballydoyle colt out in front throughout but he came under pressure in the straight.
The son of Galileo kept on in the closing stages to score by a length-and-a-quarter from Mister Tee
"He hated the ground," revealed Murtagh afterwards. "He hit a soft patch off the last bend and i was trying to get him organised after.
"He definitely wants quick ground. He has a great temperament and has a chance of being a very good horse."