DELACROIX strengthened his Derby credentials when making all to win the Group 3 P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes on his seasonal return at Leopardstown.

Beaten a nose in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy when last seen, Aidan O’Brien’s charge was sent off the 4/7 favourite on his first start over 10 furlongs. Tiberius Thunder pestered the favourite in front, but Ryan Moore’s mount looked the likely winner with two furlongs left to race.

Shaken up to go clear approaching the final furlong, the Coolmore homebred was pushed out to score by two and a quarter lengths. Fellow Ballydoyle inmate Lambourn finished well to take second, a length and a quarter in front of Tiberius Thunder in third.

“He was always babyish, and he still is babyish, but he is growing up,” said the winning trainer. “He’s coming along lovely; he’s going to be a lovely horse, he’s classy. Racing will only help him and he’ll improve plenty fitness-wise.”

“We always thought he’d stay well,” he added. “He’s a fine, big, powerful horse.”

O’Brien confirmed that Delacroix will return to Leopardstown for another run, before lining up in the Epsom Derby, for which he is now 10/1. Stablemates The Lion In Winter and Twain are currently first and second in the betting.

The handsome bay is by Dubawi and out of multiple Group/Grade 1 winner Tepin, who M.V. Magnier purchased for $8million.