Joseph O'Brien gave El Salvador a canny ride as the chestnut repeated last year's success in the concluding Summer Twilight Nights Race at Limerick.

Leading his two rivals, O'Brien steadied things right down after about four furlongs when Seamie Heffernan elected to go on aboard 4/9 shot Missunited

O'Brien attacked again to lead in the final two furlongs and Missunited couldn't quicken.

It was left to outsider of the trio, Cosmic Cannonball fresh from a maiden win just last Saturday, to try her case then but she was a length and a half down on El Salvador at the line. They left the aforementioned 'hotpot' four and a quarter lengths behind.

O'Brien, riding El Salvador for his mother and father, Annmarie and Aidan, said: "He's a lovely big horse. He disappointed a bit last season but he seems to have come to himself again.

"He's a nice staying type and as he's won twice at Dundalk too I don't think ground is an issue for him."

Meanwhile Missunited's trainer Mick Winters commented: "Seamie said that he thought she needed the run but he was happy enough.

"She probably needed a more even gallop at the start and I'd say she got a bit tired.

"Another flat race should put her right and if she progresses she could run in the Ascot Gold Cup but we'll take it one step at a time." (TW & EM)