Grey horse Capri holds on from Cannonball© Photo Healy Racing
Ryan Moore's trip across the Irish Sea to partner Capri in the Group Three Alleged Stakes at Naas paid off as the dual-Classic winner made a winning start to his season.
Moore sent the grey son of Galileo into an early lead and dictated throughout. Cannonball ranged up on their outer in the final furlong and a half but edged left under the whip when called upon for his effort.
He did the same in the final furlong but still got to within a head of Capri who successfully fended him off after 10 furlongs.
The Irish Derby and English St Leger hero was returned the 7/4 favourite from 10/1 shot Cannonball.
Aidan O'Brien said: "We're delighted and it was nice to get him started.
“We'll have a look at going to the Mooresbridge next and he'll come on lovely. Then we might have a look at either the Tattersalls or the Coronation. Maybe he can do the two.
“He's a lovely relaxed horse, lazy and a brave horse. Ryan was delighted with him.
“We'll let him come slowly rather than forcing him. We'll feel our way. That's the first time he's won over ten and we'll be thinking a mile-and-a-quarter and a mile-and-a-half with him.
“There should be tons of improvement. I'd say he got tired but he was entitled to and it's nice for him to be doing that rather than racing up there with his mouth open as we've another eight months to go.”
O'Brien fielded three of the five runners. On fourth-placed Yucatan he said: "Donnacha's horse was grand, he's off a long time. It was soft ground, and we knew it wasn't ideal, but it's nice to get racing miles into him.”
On Cliffs Of Moher who came in fifth, he said: "Seamie's horse was a bit fresh and a bit fresh before it. He's going to take a bit of racing to get him to come down and relax again.”
Paddy Power gave Capri a first show of 11/2 for the Coronation Cup.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
