Aidan O’Brien returned to form with a bang at the Curragh last weekend saddling six winners, and the upturn in fortunes at Ballydoyle continued back at headquarters as Cardini defied top-weight in the Irish EBF Supporting Irish Champions Weekend Premier Nursery.

Donnacha O’Brien’s mount, runner-up on his previous two starts at Killarney and having his sixth outing here, led a quarter of a mile out and kept on well inside the final furlong of this €40,000 7f event.

The 3/1 chance had half a length to spare over Facethepuckout with Vidiyni finding no extra a further two lengths adrift in third.

Aidan O’Brien said, “He’s getting it together and slowly progressing. He was a bit babyish mentally but travels through a race very strong.

“He likes plenty of pace in front of him. He’s hardy too and taking his racing well.”