Cairo staked his claim as a classic contender for next season with an authoritative victory in the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown this afternoon.

By Quality Road and out of a winning Galileo mare, the Aidan O’Brien-trained 5/2 favourite won a Curragh maiden on his second start and this was another significant step forward having finishing second in the Listed Star Appeal Stakes at Dundalk.

Wayne Lordan ’s mount was pushed along to challenge front-runner Bold Discovery in the straight and drew clear inside the final furlong to score by two and three-quarter lengths.

The winner's stable-companion Sierra Blanca kept on inside the final furlong to just snatch second spot from Bold Discovery.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said, “Wayne gave him a lovely ride. It was a nice even gallop from the word go which suited him.

“He had a good run the last day behind a nice filly of Willie Browne's in Dundalk and he has stepped up again since.

“I think the proper gallop helped him today. He's a lovely horse physically and he's done everything right so far.

“He's in the Group 1 in France next weekend but that will probably come too soon. It's nice to get the Group 3 win for him and he's a horse to look forward to for next year.

“The second horse ran a lovely race and he'll come on again.”

Poetic Flare won this race two years ago before going on to land the 2000 Guineas and Paddy Power trimmed Cairo into 33/1 (from 50/1) for next year’s Derby at Epsom.

Quotes by Gary Carson