Gran Caballo gave supports concern prior to justifying strong market support to win Dundalk's opening Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Maiden today, scoring for jockey Hugh Horgan, owners Rectory Road Holdings Ltd and trainer Joseph O'Brien.

The front-running American Pharoah four-year-old was a 5/2 chance this morning, opened 7/4 on 'the show' before returning 11/8 favourite and, in the race, was headed by stablemate Moab and appeared beaten, early in the home straight.

Eventual runner-up Impero also arrived to challenge and while Moab faded at the furlong pole, Gran Caballo rallied to regain the lead in the final 100 yards, scoring by a half-length.

Afterwards jockey Horgan said "I had got a nice breather into him before we turned in, he had travelled along lovely into the straight but then a couple quickened by me.

"I knew when I got stuck into him that I was always going to get there and he is tough, hardy and stays well.

"He would get 1m6f and maybe even two miles in time."

Quotes from Michael Graham