Despite a notable market drift, Il Pellegrino made the breakthrough on his third start in the opener at Limerick this afternoon, the Regeneron 'Celebrating 10 Years In The Mid-West' Maiden.

A fine second on debut at the Curragh, the Joseph O'Brien-trained colt was only third when odds-on at Naas in November.

Back in action for the first time since and as short as evens in early shows, the Declan McDonogh ridden victor eventually went off a 5/2 chance.

Never far from the pace, the No Nay Never brown was ridden to the front over a furlong from home and kept on well in the closing stages, holding off the effort of Monasterboice by half-a-length.

The runner-up was returned a 6/1 chance under Jamie Powell for Noel Meade, with the front pair three and three quarters of a length clear of Settlement (9/4f) in third.

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"He had been off a while - I'm not sure the reason why, but he is a fine big horse and is progressing," McDonogh revealed.

"We'll see what the handicapper does and he looks like the type who will improve.

"I had a nice position all the way but when we got to the front, he parked a little bit although had plenty left. He is a fine animal and I'd say he'll go on any ground."

STEWARDS REPORTS

A.C. Persse, rider of Ali's Court, trained by M.A.Cahill, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount went right after leaving the stalls.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes