The Prairie, left, catches Duke Cador © Photo Healy Racing
The Prairie made it a quick-fire double for Aidan O'Brien and Wayne Lordan when winning the three-year-old colts and geldings maiden in Leopardstown.
He caught the eye on juvenile debut at Killarney in October and showed good improvement here.
His stablemate, Duke Cador set the fractions over this 10-furlong trip, however, The Prairie made headway to close two furlongs out.
He was ridden by Lordan to go after the leader approaching the final furlong and collared him in the closing stages.
The 7/2 chance won going away by two lengths from the 6/1 runner-up. New Variant kept on three and a-half lengths further back in third at 22/1.
“He had a nice run in Killarney last year,” said O'Brien.
“He's bred to get a mile-and-a-half. Wayne had a lovely position on him, Seamus went an even gallop in front (on Duke Cador), and he picked up and galloped home. Wayne liked him loads so that was good.
“He got a mile-and-a-quarter very well there in heavy ground and he's obviously going to get a mile-and-a-half well. He's a horse to look forward to.
“Seamus was delighted with his horse and said to maybe ride him a bit more patient the next day as, when he got there, he was waiting.
“Ryan's horse (Moore on ninth-placed The Black Tiger pulled a muscle in his hind quarters, maybe at the two marker. We'll give him a bit of time off and hopefully he'll be okay.”
Paddy Power made The Prairie 25/1 from 50/1 for the Derby.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
