Now The King opened his account at the third attempt when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Median Auction Maiden in fine style at Dundalk.

The son of Baltic King was never too far from the pace, leading well over a furlong out and the well-backed 15/8 favourite stayed on strongly under Leigh Roche to score by two and a half lengths.

Thames River made a pleasing debut keeping on nicely in the closing stages to take second, with Estepona Sun a further half a length back in third.

Winning trainer Michael O’Callaghan said, “He’s a lovely horse and we’ve thought a lot of him all along.

“The ground was his undoing at the Curragh last time. He’s a big raw horse and was unsuited by a stiff mile on heavy ground. He won’t be a horse until next year and at home I’ve thought he’s a Stakes horse.

“He looks a nice horse and we could aim him at the Guineas Trial here in the spring and make a plan after that.

“It’s a long way to a Guineas but he’s the only one I have entered and that’s because I thought so much of him at home

“He’s been able to get into a rhythm there on the nice ground and able to extend all the way to the line. You couldn’t ask for much more and will improve again into next year.”