Doncaster Leger hero Leading Light put in an excellent display on his seasonal debut, as he took the Group Three Vintage Crop Stakes under Joseph O'Brien for his father Aidan.

The four-year-old son of Montjeu won five in-a-row between 2012 and 2013, culminating in the St Leger win.

He then never managed to land a blow when finishing twelfth in the Prix De L´Arc De Triomphe at Longchamp in October on his last start.

Having opened at 7/4 last night, he was available at just 6/5 on-course, and while he touched 10/11, he went off the even money favourite.

Having raced in a share of third throughout, the bay colt improved to take closer order on the outside from over three furlongs out.

He was ridden along and produced wit his challenge a furlong and a half from home, getting to the front inside the furlong pole before keeping on well to score by three lengths. Royal Diamond (7/1), who attempted to make all, plugged on to take second under Niall McCullagh for Johnny Murtagh, while Pale Mimosa (2/1) was just out of the placings, a further half a length back in third.

Aidan O’Brien said afterwards: “You’d have to be very happy, we couldn’t be happier really.

"We were very happy with him at home. He had got stronger and was doing all the right things.

"He had a penalty and everything, it was his first run and it was properly run race. We haven’t seen the bottom of him yet.

"At the end of two miles at Ascot last year he didn’t seem to be stopping. We will look forward to the Gold Cup now and he could run in the Saval Beg before it.

"When he get there he pulls up and that’s why he wears the cheekpieces.

"It is lovely that they went a gallop as he could take his time and he didn’t have to make his own running.

"He settled well, he travelled well and he quicken twice in the straight."

Boylesports were impressed by Leading Light and they shortened him from 7/2 to 9/4 for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, while Ladbrokes also shortened him from 5/2 to 2/1.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson