Peking Opera (left) stays on best under Seamie Heffernan© Photo Healy Racing
Peking Opera justified favouritism in the feature at the Navan, the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Yeats Stakes.
A winner on his second start at Leopardstown in October, the Aidan O'Brien trained Galileo colt was sent off the 5/2 market leader this afternoon, having briefly touched 4/1 earlier in the day.
Settled in fifth by Seamie Heffernan, he came with his challenge on the outer with a furlong and a half left to race.
In front inside the final 150 yards, he was half-a-length ahead of the Joseph O'Brien-trained Limerick winner Etna Rosso (9/2) at the line.
Less than two-and-a-half lengths separated the six-runner field.
Stable representative Chris Armstrong said in the aftermath: "The form of his Leopardstown race over a mile has worked out well.
"He has done well over the winter and is a horse that is going to stay very well.
"This was a lovely race to start him off in and he is one to look forward to going forward over a staying trip.
"He could be one for something like the Queen's Vase over 1m6f at Ascot. You could bring him back a fraction to 1m4f.
"He has good options and he did well to win on seasonal debut."
When asked about the Derby entries, he replied: "He has (those entries) and it is an option for him. he is versatile between 1m4f and 1m6f."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
