Portland put in a gutsy performance to prevail in the Listed King George V Cup at Leopardstown on Thursday evening and could now play a part in Aidan O’Brien’s Royal Ascot plans.

On his first attempt at a mile and a half, the 13/8 favourite was settled in third behind Gesture and Keeper’s Heart for much of the race by Ryan Moore but came through to hit the front at the furlong pole.

The son of Dubawi was given a scare by main market rival Kinesiology, who then threw down a serious challenge, but Portland dug deep to fend off Jessica Harrington’s charge by a neck.

O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong said: “It’s lovely to get another win as he’s run some good races. We thought he’d appreciate stepping up to a mile and a half.

“Ryan gave him a lovely ride and wanted to get there at just the right time.

“That puts him in the mix now for Royal Ascot and he could go for the King Edward over a mile and a half or there is no reason why he wouldn’t get the mile and six in a Queen’s Vase.

“We’ll see over the next week where they are all going to fit in.

“It’s nice to get another run into him, give him a confidence booster and he’ll come on another bit from it.

“When the second horse got up his inside and came at him, he put the head down well. He’s as game as the day is long.”

Earlier Moore had to settle for second spot in the opening two-year-old fillies' maiden when his mount, the odds-on favourite Giselle, was beaten comprehensively by stable companion Bedtime Story.

By Frankel out of top sprinter Mecca's Angel, Bedtime Story was making her debut here under Wayne Lordan and this half-sister to Content scored by over a length.

Giselle is also by Frankel, out of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Newspaperofrecord,

O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong said: “They are two lovely fillies going forward. There wasn’t much between them at home, and it was a tough choice for Ryan.

“Both fillies were quite green through the race and Wayne’s filly probably got an easier run at it.

“Before the race, they were both in the mix for the Chesham and you can’t really take much away from Ryan’s filly. We’ll see how they come through it and at the moment they are both in the mix.

“Wayne said when she steps up in trip again, she will be a fine filly for the backend.

“She has plenty of class and has an unbelievable pedigree.”

One of the most impressive performances of the night came from the Dermot Weld-trained Tarawa in the nine-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Glencairn Stakes.

The four-year-old Shamardal filly was making her seasonal debut in this listed race but was sent off the 2/1 favourite to defeat her seven rivals, five of whom were male.

With Chris Hayes on board, Aga Khan-owned Tarawa kicked clear in the home straight and won by over two lengths from the ex-Irish Cairo, now trained in Britain by Alice Haynes.