Aidan O’Brien opened his account for the 2020 Irish Flat season when Russian Emperor (2/1 fav) stayed on strongly inside the final furlong for a last gasp success in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over a mile.

Driven along behind the leaders over a furlong out, Seamie Heffernan switched the Galileo colt to the stands’ side and he powered up the hill, passing several rivals and thwarting Lobo Rojo (8/1) right on the line for a short head win, with Lough Cutra (3/1) another three quarters of a length back in third.

A running-on third behind stablemate Iberia on Irish Oaks day at the Curragh on his only start at two, the winning rider was taken with this performance.

“He had a lovely run last year, he's a fine big colt," said Heffernan

“When he switched out and the penny dropped he won well. Aidan's could improve an awful lot, not through fitness, but just because they hibernate through the winter.

“He's a group horse and if he gets a mile-and-a-half he's top notch.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson