Petronius Maximus owed Johnny Murtagh one after the nasty incident when he slipped up and went through the rails at headquarters back in June and he prevailed under the Meath man in the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden at the Curragh.

The easy-to-back son of Holy Roman Emperor soon led and despite drifting right from over a furlong out he held off Vastitas by a neck. There was half a length to favourite Shelley Beach The result stood following a steward's enquiry.

Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "The visors have helped but in all fairness to him he was off a long time with an injury after getting a cut under his shoulder the day he went through the rails here with Johnny.

"He came on a lot from his first run back the last day. Seeing as he had such a break he could run again this season."