Fernando Vichi underlined Derby favourite Bolshoi Ballet’s Epsom credentials as he ground out victory in the Listed Nijinsky Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday.

Donnacha O’Brien’s winner had finished an aggregate of 12 lengths behind Bolshoi Ballet in his two previous races this season.

Gavin Ryan had the 5/1 winner in front after a furlong as he moved up to a mile and a half for the first time and, after remaining prominent throughout, kicked clear into the straight.

O’Brien’s favourite The Mediterranean came under pressure turning in – and although staying on to good effect in the closing stages, he could get no closer than a three-quarter-length second at the line. Joseph O’Brien’s Ruling completed the family’s clean sweep, the same distance again back in third.

Fernando Vichi’s victory fuelled his own classic aspirations, with this month’s Irish Derby likely to be next and then a move further up in trip possibly on his longer-term agenda.

Donnacha O’Brien said: “He had a good run the last day – and we always knew he was going to be a mile-and-a-half horse, at least.

“Gavin gave him a lovely ride today. He got a nice, easy lead – but he quickened up well.

“He put lengths on them and then got a little bit lazy in the last half-furlong. I thought it was a good performance.

"I think he’s earned a shot at the Irish Derby now – that looks like the obvious target.

“He’s a horse that stays very well, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we step him up again after that.”

Asked if the St Leger could therefore come into the equation later in the season, the winning trainer said: “I think so. There is a lot of stamina in his pedigree – and he has a nice, lazy, relaxed way of going.

“I see no reason why he shouldn’t be (a Leger horse).

“He quickened up very well today, so he deserves a shot at a big one over a mile and a half before we start thinking that way.”

MAGNANIMOUS IN VICTORY

Magnanimous returned to winning form to post his first listed success in the Glencairn Stakes.

Joseph O’Brien’s three-year-old saw off both his contemporaries and elders with plenty in hand, scoring by two lengths at 8/1.

Magnanimous, without a win in his previous four starts since prevailing in a Listowel handicap last September, made the most of a minor pull in the weights under these race conditions to number his Curragh Listed conqueror Lunar Space among those behind him this time.

Shane Crosse had the Mehmas colt positioned in third entering the straight, off the pace set by Koolasice. But once he challenged and soon led a furlong out, he took control – with Four Home Two closest at the line, and favourite Sinawann another length and a quarter back in third on his belated first start of the campaign.

The winner was returning to a mile for only the second time in his career, and assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “His run against Poetic Flare here was a good run (sixth to the subsequent 2000 Guineas winner in April) – but last time, Shane said he was all over the place on the ground at Naas.

“He said he did that really well today. I’d say that’s by far his best run.

“He was shouldering a lot of weight in his nurseries last year. He’s a genuine horse – and he loves this (good) ground.

“Hopefully he’ll go on from here. He’s got speed for seven, stays this trip well and will probably stay a bit further even in time. I’m sure there will be plenty of options for him.”

EMPHATIC VICTORY

Juncture built on her debut effort with an emphatic victory in the opening Yeomanstown Stud Shaman Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.

Ger Lyons’ juvenile was no match for Contarelli Chapel at Naas in April, but still caught the eye there as one who looked sure to be winning races.

Colin Keane had the 11/10 favourite in front early this time, and was then prominent throughout before taking over again just inside the last two furlongs and stretching clear to win by three and a quarter lengths from Radiyka.

O’Brien’s debutant Seisai – running in the all green colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede much more widely associated with jumps racing, and a half-sister to Magnanimous – kept on well from off the pace to finish a promising third.

Shane Lyons, assistant trainer of the Juddmonte-owned winner, said: “We’re very happy with that.

“She was green the first day – as you’d expect – and we gave her a two-week break. She enjoyed herself, and we were a little worried that she might be a little stuffy for it.

“Hopefully she’ll improve again for that. That trip is ideal, and she’ll get a little bit further.

“That was the first box ticked. We’ll see where we go now as it’s going to be a long year with her.”