He didn't win as his odds suggested he would but So You Think got the job done nonetheless in the Group 1 Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown under Seamie Heffernan.
So You Think took over from his pace-setting stable companion Roderic O'Connor with under a quarter of a mile left to race. However he looked just a little vulnerable when Frankie Dettori attacked on Snow Fairy from over a furlong out. So You Think held his head to his right a tad and though he always looked likely to hold on, he was all out to beat the very game Snow Fairy by half a length in the end.
Winning trainer Aidan O’Brien said: "It's a long time since he ran (63 days) and you'd always be worried about that. We'll discuss things during the week now as to where he'll go next.
"He cruises through his races and all options are open to him. He is an incredible specimen of a thoroughbred."
“I'm delighted. It had been a while since he ran and he hadn't been away from home.
“He's got very relaxed which is good but because he's so relaxed he may need a bit more racing closer together.
“The filly was always going to put it up to him. She was right back to her racing weight. He had a good break. She ran a great race.
“This is an incredible race every year. It's the 1m2f championship race.
“All the options are open to him. The lads always go home and talk about it the next week.
“He's an unsual horse. He could come back to a mile or go 1m2f. He has never tried 1m4f but with the big horse (Pour Moi) out of the Arc that is a possibility – it leaves the door open.
“He's an incredible horse and an incredible specimen. He's unique to look at. He's a combination of Europe and southern hemisphere. It's a real privelege to have him.
“He's matured a lot. He was ploughing his own furrow today and all his dangers were going to come from behind.
“It was a long time since he ran so we didn't want to commit five furlongs out. We knew the filly would stalk him.
“She's very highly rated at her best and today the lads said she was spot on. So he was going to be vunerable - a sitting duck.
“Seamie gave him a great ride. He said he always felt very comfortable. He said he's gone very professional and does what he has to do.
“He's a big cruiser and as a five-year-old is getting the way you would want him.
“There is the Queen Elizabeth over a mile for him, the English Champion Stakes, over 1m2f, and the Arc.
“The problem with Australia (Cox Plate) is the quarantine restrictions. It's very hard and they have no gallop there for him except on grass.
“But nothing is ruled in or out. You wouldn't want it soft with a horse of his class.”
Part owner Derrick Smith said: "He seems to be the real deal. He keeps improving and Seamie was very very happy with him. He said nothing was going to pass him.
"The English Champion and the Arc are there for him and we'll leave it to Aidan now."
Meanwhile Seamie Heffernan said: "He is getting more uncomplicated. He idled a bit in front and gave a blow.
"When you are on him you are on the king of the road. Settling him was going to be a bit of a problem but I was confident I could do that after the Eclipse. When he settles he'd go over any trip."
