Willie Mullins took the Tote Irish Cesarewitch for the second successive year (won last year's renewal with Digenta), as his well-backed Laws Of Spin landed the spoils under Chris Hayes.

A winner of his last two starts at Ballinrobe and Leopardstown, the son of Lawman was briefly available at 20/1 last night with Paddy Power.

That price was quickly snapped up, and he opened on-course at 15/2, touching 8's, before going off a 7/1 in the colours of owners the Hourihane O'Brien Partnership.

Settled in mid-division, he improved into a closer fifth as they entered the straight. He was soon pushed along on the outer, and was ridden to lead with over a furlong to go, staying on well from there to score by a length and a quarter. Cradle Mountain (20's to 16's) kept on well to take second under Donnacha O'Brien for his brother Joseph, while Swamp Fox was a further half a length back in third under Wayne Lordan for Joe Murphy at 7/1. Artful Artist (12/1) completed the placings a further two and three parts of a length back in fourth under Shane Foley for Tony Martin, while the 6/1 joint-favourites Pyromaniac and Magnolia Rose were seventh and nineteenth respectively.

Patrick Mullins said afterwards: "That was the plan - it has been the plan all season and it was great to get him in off such a low weight.

"He's very tough. It looked like he got headed a furlong out but he pulled it out again.

"It was a perfect ride from Chris. We told him to keep it simple . He's riding very well so we left it to him to do the rest of the game plan.

"He stays very well and might jump a hurdle but today was the plan and we haven't thought beyond this. We'll talk to the owner now.

"It's fantastic to win such a good race."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Magnolia Rose, trained by D. K. Weld, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson