Imperial Lord stepped forward nicely from his 'track' debut to run out a convincing winner of the concluding bumper at Thurles this afternoon.

The Yvonne Latta-trained gelding was fourth on his first outing for the yard at Fairyhouse last month, having run in a few point-to-points last season.

He was backed from 7/1 before racing into as short as 3/1 before eventually going to post a 9/2 shot.

Barry O'Neill took it up on the home bend on the Imperial Monarch gelding and he galloped on strongly in the straight. Keepthefaithinme tried to give chase in the closing stages but could only get within three-and-a-half lengths of the cosy winner.

 O’Neill said afterwards:- “The ground was a shade quick for him the last day.

“This horse was a shade unfortunate in point-to-points, a few little things happened on a few days but he always galloped well and always worked well.

“He was only doing what he had to do down the straight and he’d loads left in the tank. He’s an improving horse and will improve from that again.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)