Deakin powered clear in the closing stages to run out an easy winner of the Killinan Handicap at Thurles, giving Joseph O'Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle a double on the card.

The Australia gelding had been a wide margin winner of a Roscommon maiden last month and went to post an even-money shot today to follow up back in handicap company.

He tracked the leaders in the mile-and-a-half contest before sliding into the lead passing the two pole.

Browne McMonagle asked his mount to stretch clear over a furlong from home and he could afford to ease down late on to record a six-and-a-half length win over Immutable

The winning rider said:- "He has been working well, is an improving horse and it was interesting to see what he would do back in handicap company today. I travelled around well and he picked up well.

"We always thought plenty of him and being gelded had made a huge difference to him.

“He is very versatile and I don't think he'll have any trouble stepping up in trip and isn't short of a gear or two as well.

"He is progressing and when these horses start progressing, you never know when they're going to stop so will be exciting going into next year."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)