Donnacha O’Brien’s Shaihaan returned to winning ways in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Navigation Stakes at Killarney.
Set some stiff tasks since winning first time out this season at the Curragh, he had been gelded since his last run and well and truly showed the benefit.
Having finished fourth in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown he was third in the Gallinule Stakes and was not disgraced when fifth in the Irish Derby behind Benvenuto Cellini.
Last time out he was fifth to Enceladus in the Gordon Stakes and freshened up from a short break was sent off the 3-1 favourite.
Chris Hayes was on the Al Shaqab-owned three-year-old and he quickened up well close home to beat Manton Bay by three-quarters of a length.
“He is a big boy and got unbalanced on the bend because of the speed we were going into it,” said Hayes.
“I had to give him a chance to get him organised and I liked the way he put his head down and tried.
“He is very genuine, really enjoyed the ground, the trip wasn’t an issue, although it was a falsely-run race.
“He is a nice horse and hopefully he’ll have a good end to the season.”