The opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race over seven furlongs in Gowran Park looked a tricky affair and Lord Massusus doubtless went into many notebooks after a strong performance on seasonal reappearance.

Gary Carroll send his mount into the lead a furlong and a half out and the Markaz gelding asserted on the uphill climb in the final furlong.

He kept on strongly to come in by a comfortable two and a-quarter lengths at 13/2 from the 11/10 favourite Shadowed who kept on for second.

Lord Massusus won twice last season for Joseph Murphy and Gary Carroll, over six furlongs in the Curragh and over a mile at Listowel.

Murphy said: “We had the Britannia in mind for him over the winter, but we might be handicapped out of it now.

“He’s versatile both in terms of trip and ground, and I think there is another bit of improvement in him.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee