The Aidan O'Brien trained Rostropovich justified strong market confidence to take the opener at Gowran, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Seventh of twelve on debut at Leopardstown last month, the son of Frankel was available at 4/1 in early shows, but that price was quickly snapped up.

He opened on-course at 10/11, touching evens, before going off the clear favourite at 5/6 under Seamie Heffernan.

Settled behind the leader, the bay colt was pushed along in third from two furlongs out. He was ridden to challenge between horses at the furlong pole, and soon hit the front, keeping on well to score by half a length.

The front-running Medal Of Honour (13/2), who finished ahead of the selection when they met at Leopardstown, had to settle for second under Donnacha O'Brien for his brother Joseph. Port Lions (3/1) completed the placings another length and a half back in third under Shane Foley for Mick Halford.

The winner was bought for 1.1 million guineas at Tattersalls last October, and he is a half-brother to Group 1 winner and now successful stallion Zoffany.

Seamie Heffernan said afterwards: "Ryan (Moore) liked him the first day and Aidan said he'd come on plenty so we were hoping for him to run well and he did.

"It wasn't a typical Irish race in that we went nice to halfway and then we were racing and I knew I had the better of the horse on my inside (runner-up Medal Of Honour).

"I don't think he has yet been asked if he's a speed horse or stayer so I'm not sure about his trip but seven furlongs or a mile should be no problem to him."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes