David Wachman opened his account for the season with some style when Imperial Rome pulverised his rivals in the mile handicap for three-year-olds.

The Holy Roman Emperor colt was always travelling sweetly, and put the race to bed in a matter of strides when sent about his business over a furlong out by Wayne Lordan.

The 90-rated individual drew clear to justify 11/4 favouritism (9/2 with William Hill this morning), beating the well-backed Crystal Belle (7/2) by five lengths with Free Art (16/1) another length and a quarter back in third.

Wachman later reported by phone, “He did that very well, and obviously likes it at Dundalk. I planned to run him in the Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh last Sunday but the ground was too soft. We'll move him up to Stakes level, and hopefully he'll continue to progress.”