Kyprios readily landed prohibitive odds in the SBK Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan this afternoon and looks set to play a big part in all the top staying races this year.

The Moyglare Stud-owned son of Galileo swept all before him in 2022 when beginning an unbeaten run of six races in this Listed event but last season was curtailed to just two outings in the autumn due to injury.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained six-year-old was available at 4/9 overnight but shortened up to 2/13 by the off and supporters never really had a moments worry.

Ryan Moore ’s mount travelled smoothly to head pace-setting stablemate Queenstown at the two-furlong pole and was ridden out inside the final furlong to beat that rival by three and a quarter lengths. Yashin finished a further two and a half lengths adrift in third.

O'Brien said, "Delighted with him this year, great to get him back.

"Ryan gave him a lovely, uncomplicated ride. Wayne (Lordan on Queenstown) set a lovely, even pace and he kept taking him. I couldn't be happier really.

"When he gets there he doesn't do much and that is the way he is, but he was travelling very easily all the way.

"Everything is good so far - the plan was to come here, go to Leopardstown (Saval Beg) and go to the Gold Cup. He is a lovely horse to have."

Kyprios is unchanged at 5/2 with Paddy Power and Betfair for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot

O'Brien and Moore were completing a double on the day having earlier scored with Camille Pissarro and O'Brien also commented on the juvenile winner saying "We liked him at home. He's a fine, big horse and we always though he was a six or seven furlong horse.

"He has loads of class and Ryan was very happy with him. He's a horse to look forward to."

Quotes by Michael Graham