Sir Antonino (left) holds Roman Bull © Photo Healy Racing
Sir Antonino made all to justify 6/4 favouritism in the Tadhg O'Connor Ltd Maiden.
The Galileo colt, blinkered for the first time, was pursued throughout by Roman Bull and was ridden over a length clear of that rival approaching the final furlong.
The runner-up stuck to his task under Danny Mullins and reduced the margin close home but the winner never looked in danger of being caught and scored by a neck. The Vik was two lengths further away in third.
A second winner of the evening for Joseph O’Brien after Thornbrook at Leopardstown, the 81-rated Sir Antonino, who cost £300,000 as a yearling, is owned by Real Madrid and Spanish national team full-back Alvaro Odriozola.
Winning rider Shane Crosse said: "He had two good runs as a two-year-old and ran below par on two runs this year but we put blinkers on him today to wake him up a shade and in fairness he was all heart. He was in front a long way, did it the hard way and was game.
"You'd hope that would do his confidence the world of good, he is quite a strong little colt and please God he'll improve away."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
