The Natalia Lupini trained Barnso struck at the third time of asking when staying on strongly close home to win the Irish EBF Median Sires Series (C&G) Maiden at Dundalk.

Mid division on his racecourse debut at the Curragh in August, the Belardo colt took a big step forward when runner-up at Roscommon on his second start.

Sent off 6-4f under Billy Lee this afternoon, the MBC Partnership owned colt sat in the first four throughout, before being produced to challenge early in the straight.

Pushed along to lead over a furlong out, he needed to work hard before eventually getting on top close home to have a length-and-a-quarter in hand at the finish.

Natalia Lupini, “He’s a big, strong colt, very correct and mentally the penny is just starting to drop with him.

“We were hopeful coming here and he will get a mile. There is plenty of improvement in him.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.