Team Coffee - Niall 'Slippers' Madden (left) and Niall 'Boots' Madden© Photo Healy Racing
Coffee got up in the final strides to beat the favourite Seville Star in the Lynn Lodge Stud Maiden.
A four time winner over hurdles when trained in the UK, the JP McManus owned nine-year-old finished a good fifth to Roconga on his flat debut at Dundalk in April.
He was since second over hurdles to Fire In Soul at Ballinrobe, and he was sent off a 14/1 chance this evening with Niall 'Slippers' Madden in the saddle for his father Niall 'Boots'.
Settled in mid-division, he was ridden in seventh two furlongs out. He came with his challenge down the outer from the furlong pole, getting up close home to prevail by a head.
The well-backed Seville Star (5/2 last night and from 5/4 to 10/11 favourite on-course) had to settle for second under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger, while Hall Pass (20/1) was a further length back in third under Declan McDonogh for Charles O'Brien.
The winning handler said afterwards: "That was great. He ran a cracker the last day in Ballinrobe.
"He's a bit difficult to train. It's great to get the win with him as he's a long time knocking on the door.
"He'll probably go chasing now.
"In the last stride a fella beside me said he was up but I wasn't sure."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
