It looked a wide-open race beforehand but Sunday's Friends of the Curragh Irish Cesarewitch produced a decisive winner in the shape of well-backed favourite, The Euphrates.

The only three-year-old in the 30-runner field, The Euphrates was running off a handicap mark of 105 and had finished a very respectable fourth in the Irish St Leger on his most recent run two weeks ago, beaten less than four lengths by Kyprios.

Wearing blinkers for the first time today (replacing the usual visor), The Euphrates was soon close to the lead under Ryan Moore and went for home fully four furlongs out in this two-mile handicap. The 7/2 market leader was soon clear and held on well to win by a diminshing half a length from A Piece Of Heaven. Sixandahalf finished third and Nurburgring did best of those who raced off the pace when taking fourth. Dawn Rising came home in fifth, meaning Joseph O'Brien saddled three of the first five home but it was his father Aidan who trained the winner, just as he did two years ago when Waterville won this contest.

O'Brien said: “He was very well handicapped, he ended up on a good mark. His Leger run was an unbelievable run.

“Ryan gave him a great ride, he got a great position and was controlling it.

“He's an improving horse, I'd say he's a Cup horse. He stays two (miles) and he has a bit of class, he travelled very strong at all stages.

“He's a quality stayer. He's run a lot for a three-year-old and hasn't exactly had an easy time, but he just kept getting better.”