A tenth career winner at the meeting for Britain and Ireland’s champion Jump trainer, Belloccio (4/1) came from off the pace under William Buick to cut down Lmay inside the final furlong and win by a length and a quarter.

Also finishing strongly from off the pace, and beaten a short-head into third, was My Mate Mozzie, whose previous start for trainer Gavin Cromwell came in the Group 1 Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The Andrew Balding-trained Alsakib finished fourth.

Belloccio’s victory further justified the decision to purchase him by owner Thurloe Thoroughbreds Ireland for €60,000 in France in November. Formerly trained by David Menuisier, the six-year-old was sent to Mullins and won a maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month, teeing him up for today’s triumph.

Making up for earlier disappointment

Mullins said: “I was so disappointed with My Lyka [19th in the Ascot Stakes] and I was wondering, could this fellow make up for it? Then I was disappointed when he didn’t jump out as fast as I hoped, but William didn’t panic. He waited until the race was starting in earnest and produced him with a perfect run.

“This fellow will probably go to the Ebor. He’s entered here on Saturday, but we won’t make any decisions about this weekend yet. We’ll see how he comes out of this race, and I think the bigger picture may come into it. The long-term aim might be to qualify for the Melbourne Cup. We’ll see how things go and I’ll have another word with William.”

Buick said: “I was very happy throughout really. We were at Swinley Bottom and I had a lot of ground to make up, so half a mile out, I decided to move a little bit closer. I always thought I was going to reel in the leaders and go on to win.

“He is a smart stayer and has good form from the past as well. He is a pretty classy horse. I was comfortable where I was, but at the same time I had a bit of ground to make up – he did it well. It is always a privilege to get phone calls from Willie to ride his horses.”