Joseph O'Brien's risky strategy paid off as he guided Imperial Monarch to victory in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown.
O'Brien opted to take the 11-8 favourite under the trees as his three rivals stuck to the far rails and round the home turn it appeared as though he had made the wrong decision as he found himself five lengths off the lead.
The young jockey stuck gamely to his tactics and Imperial Monarch responded to his urgings to close the gap. He finished strongly to take the Group Three by a length and three-quarters.
Thought Worthy had made most of the early running but he was collared by Imperial Monarch in the closing stages and had to settle for second.