The two horses backed at morning prices for the concluding mile and a half maiden at the Curragh fought out the finish with Twilight Payment keeping on best.

Twilight Payment was 9/4 this morning and was sent off the 4/6 favourite. He broke smartly to lead under Kevin Manning. Ex Patriot (10/1 to 6/1 this morning before being returned at 5/1) tracked him in second.

The leader received a few reminders on the turn for home as Ex Patriot travelled sweetly a couple of lengths behind him.

However, Twilight Payment kept finding for Manning and refused to yield the lead. Ex Patriot drew alongside in the final furlong but he drifted right under the whip with less than 200 yards to race and he couldn't get back on terms.

The odds-on favourite passed the post a length to the good. There was a two and three quarter length gap back to third-placed Nonetheless (16/1).

Successful trainer Jim Bolger said: "That's him — he's tough. Two miles suits him very well.

“We might think about the English Leger as it's for three-year-olds only. We'll have a look at it anyway.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson