It was last to first for Benaud (17/2 out to 11/1 on the show) in the Royal Ascot Trials Day May 16th Rated Race.

Gelded over the winter after signing off last season with a nursery success at Leopardstown, he was brought through by Shane Crosse to lead inside the final furlong. He kept on well to defeat the 9/4 favourite Baton Rouge by a length and three quarters.

Brendan Powell, assistant to winning trainer Joseph O’Brien, said: “He’s a big horse and last year early on he was getting lost everywhere.

“He won on his final start and has stepped up to a mile and a quarter here. Shane said they went fast and he travelled away well. He kept picking up and I’m sure he’ll improve a nice bit from that run.

“He might go to Ascot. He was off 89 today and seems to cope with most types of ground. The step up in trip has probably improved him again.”

Quotes from Alan Magee