Zerashan an attractive son of Azamour, defied top-weight on his return from a 210 day absence to justify the confidence of those that backed him from 8/1 this morning into 4/1 under Johnny Murtagh in the Growise Handicap at Leopardstown.

Owned by Gigginstown House Stud and a half-brother to Zaralabad who could find no extra from over a furlong out here, the winning four-year-old made all the running and kept on strongly from over a furlong out to beat Rock Medley

Successful trainer Michael Halford said: "That was a great ride from the front by Johnny Murtagh. He's a grand horse that done well over the winter. He'll go jumping eventually.

"The next step for him is the premier handicap over a mile and a half at the Curragh on Guineas weekend. He is a straight-forward genuine horse.

"He wouldn't want winter ground but he can handle a bit of dig."