On outing number three the well-bred Copernicus (15/8 favourite, from 5/2) got off the mark in the concluding John Lane & Sons Tralee INH Flat Race at Killarney.

Katie Walsh rode the chestnut when he last appeared, also at this venue, back in mid-July.

Walsh is currently in Australia and her sister-in-law Nina Carberry stepped in for the spin on Michael Halford's charge this time.

Owned and bred by Nicky Hartery, Copernicus was tracking the front-runner Billy Le Fou after half a mile.

He took over under three furlongs out and asked to assert a furlong out Copernicus went on to defeat his aforementioned rival by five lengths.

"It's been a while since I've had a bumper winner! Copernicus is a half-brother to Asbury Boss but forgot to stop growing - he's a beautiful mover and a lovely horse," commented Halford.

"It took him a couple of runs but he has a future ahead of him now. Nicky would like to sell him on as he had other younger horses coming along."

(TW & EM)