Racing: Frozen Fire sprung a 16-1 surprise as Seamus Heffernan and Aidan O'Brien celebrated victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh for the second successive year.
After landing the spoils with Soldier Of Fortune in 2007, Heffernan was ice cool once again as he brought the Montjeu colt with a storming late run to cut down his rivals.
In a messy race, the winner's stablemate Alessandro Volta led the field turning for home and looked set to fight out the finish with Luca Cumani's Curtain Call and even-money favourite Tartan Bearer.
But the former swerved violently under pressure with around a furlong to run, causing Fran Berry to snatch up on Curtain Call and pushing Ryan Moore wide on Tartan Bearer.
With all the interference taking the eye, Frozen Fire shot past almost unseen as Heffernan punched his mount round the outside inside the distance.
He shot clear to register a convincing two-length win over 4-1 chance Casual Conquest, who had finished third in the Derby at Epsom last time.
Alessandro Volta stayed on again once straightened to claim third but was unsurprisingly demoted following a stewards' inquiry, enabling Tartan Bearer to fill the frame.
O'Brien was understandably thrilled and saluted Heffernan's role in the victory.
"This is down to a lot of people - it's been a privilege to have been involved in it," O'Brien said.
"Seamus has worked very hard and is a great judge of a horse. Nobody deserves it more than Seamus and I couldn't be happier for him."
A delighted O'Brien continued: "This is marvellous. The race was a full, solid mile and a half and there are no excuses.
"All of ours have run great races, but I think Alessandro Volta got stage-fright when he turned into the straight and he wouldn't have seen a crowd like that in front of him before.
"Frozen Fire was second in the Dante but got trapped back in the Derby. Mick Kinane came in and said he was very happy with him and that he was a very good horse.
"All we wanted was an even, strong gallop and this is great for everyone involved as there are so many people in the team who make this happen.
"This is a very special race and is a full test over a mile and a half.
"The Curragh is probably the greatest racecourse in the world as it is a very fair track and really tests a horse over a mile and a half."
Heffernan added: "His second last run was a serious run and he just didn't handle the track at Epsom last time - he probably would have gone close if he had.
"I was riding him to try to get placed and he is a bit weak but I was happy to get a lead and follow some of the fancied ones.
"It's unbelievable to win this two years in a row - it's a dream."