Joseph O'Brien's Voce Del Palio takes Ballyhane Stakes at Naas

Voce Del Palio claimed a surprise victory in the lucrative Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas.

A field of 24 juveniles went to post for the €300,000 feature, with impressive course-and-distance winner Apricot Twist the 5-2 favourite to provide Ger Lyons, Colin Keane and Juddmonte with back-to-back victories following the success of the high-class Sacred Bridge 12 months ago.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Voce Del Palio had opened his account at the second attempt at Roscommon in May, but having since been beaten twice at Leopardstown, he was a 28-1 shot under Declan McDonogh.

However, there were still plenty in with chances on both sides of the track racing inside the last of six furlongs and it was O'Brien's son of Bated Breath who passed the post almost two lengths clear of the well-fancied Matilda Picotte, with Ocean Quest just a nose further away in third.

"He's been a good horse and I thought his price was a bit disrespectful to him," said O'Brien.

"He's a solid horse, he was just dropping in trip which we weren't sure about, but he obviously handled it well. He was always going to get it well and was dropping back from Group-race company.

Voce Del Palio is a ready winner of the €300,000 @IrishEBF_ Ballyhane Stakes, easing ahead on the far-side to score in good style in the hands of @declanmcdonogh for trainer @JosephOBrien2