Rostropovich successful in the Dee Stakes at Chester earlier this year and runner-up since in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, got back to the winners’ enclosure when justifying favouritism in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Stakes at Leopardstown.

The evens favourite travelled well to lead early in the straight in this 1m4f Group 3 but Donnacha O’Brien needed to get serious inside the final furlong.

The Frankel colt kept on gamely to beat stablemate Giuseppe Garibaldi by half a length, with The King also keeping on well just the same distance further back in third.

Donnacha O'Brien said, "He stays well and handles that ground well. It's good to get a win into him."

(GC & AM)