Theophilus ran out a highly impressive winner of the mile-and-a-half maiden at Gowran to bring up a treble for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.

The newcomer was sent off 5/4 favourite to score at the first time of asking and after finding his stride pulled away to destroy his rivals.

Manning had to ask the Teofilo colt for an effort turning for home but he picked up to grab the lead from front-runner Asknotwhat well over a furlong out.

He soon put daylight between himself and the field and Manning could afford the luxury of pulling up close home for a nine-length winning margin.

“He won very well. The ground was probably a concern for every horse,” said Ger Flynn, travelling head lad.

“Our last horse to win by nine lengths here was Trading Leather. I don't know yet if he's as good as him but Jim and Kevin like him a lot.

“He showed a turn of foot on ground that you shouldn't show a turn of foot on. He'll improve a lot from today.”

The winner is out of the Listed placed mare Simonetta, who is a half-sister to the dam of Intense Focus.

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)