Trainer Ted Walsh is much better known for his exploits over jumps but he landed a rare winner on the level as Collingwood triumphed at Navan.
The eight-year-old was ending a barren spell of over a year as he came with a late rattle to get the better of Lough Mist by a short head in the hands of Wayne Lordan.
"That was grand. He ran well at the Curragh last time," said Walsh of his 7-1 winner.
"Wayne felt from the time he was rising up the hill he was going to get there. A blanket covered them and it could be a different result if they ran it again.
"He's been balloted out a few times and it's grand to get a win. It was a lovely pot."< Lynott (7-2 favourite) and 6-1 shot Aladdins Cave shared the honours in the Live Music After Racing Apprentice Handicap.
The pair, partnered by Danny Mullins and Padraig Beggy respectively, swept under the wire together with Alajan just a further short head back in third.
"Half a loaf is better than no bread," quipped Gerard Keane, trainer of Lynott.
Aidan O'Brien and Johnny Murtagh hit the target twice with Emperor Hadrian and Ferdinand Magellan
Emperor Hadrian, a & euro;140,000 purchase at Goffs last September, finally opened his account at the fourth time of asking as the 7-4 favourite in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Ferdinand Magellan (11-4 favourite) completed the brace with a game front-running success in the Peter O'Brien Landscapes Maiden.
Well Breezed obliged at odds of 13-2 for trainer James McAuley and jockey Ben Curtis in the Schools Out For Summer Handicap.
"We bought him at the Breeze Up and I think he clocked the second quickest time - hence the name - but since we got him home his wind has been a bit suspect," said McAuley.
"Ben rode him the last day and said to get his wind done so all credit to him. They have done a very good job with him and his wind is absolutely perfect now."