Tried in a tongue-strap for the first-time the 78-rated Dublin Journal got off the mark at the fifth time of asking in the Naas Nursery Of Champions (C & G) Maiden.

Off a 176 day break, for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning the Teofilo chestnut chased the leader in second, and he was pushed along and made progress to dispute the lead a furlong and a half out.

Owned and bred by the Bolgers, the successful three-year-old was ridden to lead a furlong out, staying on well in the final furlong to see off pace-setter Moktaffy by two and a quarter lengths.

Bolger’s daughter Una Manning said afterwards: “We’re delighted with that run and the boss will find something for him. He’s a horse we’ve always liked and it’s nice to get the bracket for him.

“He handled the ground well and he ran out well at the line.”

(AM & EM)