The general consensus among form book readers was that Patrickswell would be unable to bring up the hat-trick in the Citybeat Handicap, the opener at Down Royal, owing to the testing conditions. However the admirable grey once again proved that love can conqueror all and his affection for the Maze now sees his record stand at four runs – four wins.

Again making all under Leigh Roche, the eight-year-old asserted from over a furlong out and he held on well to beat favourite Battleroftheboyne (didn't quite get the run of the race) by half a length. Empirico was unlucky in running in fourth too.

Winning trainer, Marcus Callaghan said: "I had my hand on the phone to take him out because of the ground.

"My father said we'd go for it though and that's his third year in a row winning this race – he loves it up here.

"We were lucky with the ground – it wasn't too bad." (MG & EM)