Forgotten Rules warmed up for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot by extending his unbeaten record to four races in the Coolmore Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan.
The ante-post favourite for the Ascot highlight enhanced his claims for next month's two-and-a-half mile Group One after passing a stern test from Jim Bolger's Answered on his first start for 211 days.
These two fought out a stirring finish to the Group Three contest over a mile and three-quarters after Sir Ector and Panama Hat had set the pace.
Forgotten Rules (8-11 favourite), trained by Dermot Weld, showed all the right qualities for a top stayer as he held his race-fit rival by a length and a quarter in the hands of Pat Smullen.
The two principals pulled well clear of Sir Ector in third while the sole British raider, the David Lanigan-trained Biographer, only beat one home after never getting into contention.
"I was very pleased with the performance and thought it was an excellent renewal of the race," Weld said afterwards.
"Two very brave and high-class stayers fought it out.
“Not taking anything away from the second as he's a very good horse, but he had the benefit of a run and was getting 5lb, so I thought it was an excellent performance by Forgotten Rules on his first run back.
"I'm pleased with the way he handled the drying ground and it augurs well for his future.
"The obvious logical next step is the Ascot Gold Cup and the only caveat I would have is that he would never want the ground too firm."
Toscanini (9-10 favourite) put himself in line for Royal Ascot when making a winning return after a 245-day absence in the Brews Hill Race.
Runner-up to Gleneagles in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh in September, Michael Halford's colt held Ainippe by a head under Shane Foley.
"I'm happy with that and it's good to get him started," said Halford.
"He travelled well but wasn't doing a whole lot in front. He'll go to Naas (for the Lacken Stakes on 1 June) and then Ascot.
"He was only ready to start and I'm very happy. Shane said he had a good blow at the furlong pole and was just doing enough from there.
"He's in the Jersey. He hasn't got any slower over the winter. We'll keep our options open and see what happens."
Joseph O'Brien feels Ivanovich Gorbatov (9-2), trained by his father Aidan, could be the type for the Queen's Vase at the Royal meeting after the Montjeu colt opened his account in the Excelebration Maiden.
"He quickened up nicely but was a bit green," said the jockey.
"They went a good gallop and the race worked out for him. He could be one for the Queen's Vase."
The O'Brien's doubled up with Derby entry Jinsha Lake (11-8 favourite) in the Pour Moi EBF Maiden.
Auld Enemy (13-2) led all the way to make a winning debut in the Requinto EBF Maiden.
David Wachman's son of Fastnet Rock was soon in command under Wayne Lordan and went on score by a length and a half from Black Beach.
"He's a grand colt. He had a good draw and was reasonably professional," said Wachman.
"He wants further and we'll get him home and make a plan for him then."
Wachman and Lordan completed a double when Curvy (15-8 favourite) followed up last month's course and distance success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.
"She's a nice filly. She'll run in stakes races now. She's got a good pedigree so it's important to get some black-type," said Wachman.
Joe Eile (10-1) made the most of his rail draw to come out on top in the navanracecourse.ie Handicap.
Making light of 295 days off the track, the Ger Lyons-trained seven-year-old took struck by half a length from In Salutem under Colin Keane.
"He had been working well at home but I thought he might come on for it and that maybe the five here might be a bit sharp for him. Hopefully he'll be a good sprinter this year," said Lyons.
