Fifth when backed into favouritism on handicap debut at Leopardstown earlier this month, Theophilos (10/3) built on that seasonal reappearance to land the concluding 1m1f handicap.

Having raced in mid-division, the lightly-raced four-year-old made headway early in the straight and was ridden to lead a furlong from home by Ben Coen. He stayed on well to beat Lisamaria by a length and a quarter.

Johnny Murtagh trains the winner for breeders Newtown Anner Stud Farm.

"He did it nicely," said Coen.

"He is a huge big horse and we had to do a lot of stalls work with him. He barely fits in them and was slowly away up until now - he half got it together the last day in Leopardstown and I was hoping if he came on from it, would be a nice ride around here.

"He has done it well and you'd imagine he can progress."

Quotes from Tom Weekes