Deep Cave came home strongly to grab Lot Of Joy close home in the opening Savills Maiden Hurdle on day three of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown.
Favourite backers would have been on good terms with themselves as Lot Of Joy made stealthy headway to stalk Firm Footings into the home straight.
He passed that rival approaching the final flight as Deep Cave stayed on into third behind the pair.
Former point-to-point winner Deep Cave kept coming though and was ridden in the final furlong by Rachael Blackmore for extra effort.
He put in his best work in the closing stages of this two and a half miler to collar Lot Of Joy with the post looming.
The 11/4 shot beat the 6/5 favourite by half a length with Firm Footings two lengths away in third at 13/2.