Scorthy Champ won the National Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend | report and free replay

The Joseph O'Brien trained winner had finished third behind Henri Matisse in the Futurity Stakes, just his second start, but showed a determined attitude to reverse the form under Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Scorthy Champ got a nice split on the inside of Seagulls Eleven and picked up well but the latter stuck to his task and the pair were soon joined by the patiently ridden Henri Matisse.

The three rivals came close together and ran around a little under pressure with Henri Matisse appearing to lose some momentum before renewing his challenge. There were no such problems for McMonagle, though, as Scorthy Champ stuck his neck out to win by three quarters of a length and the same.

It was a third Group One success for McMonagle who said: "We always thought a lot of this fellow and I was quietly confident. Coming in the last day I was confident pulling up that I'd have the better of the other two if they turned up again.

"It went smoothly, he jumped good, the pace was strong, he got into a good relaxed rhythm and took me into it very easily, quickened up a bit better than I thought and I was left there probably a half furlong too soon but he was very tough when he needed to be and strong at the line.

"You have to go when your momentum is taking you there. He's got a huge stride, covers a lot of ground and you can't be taking him back, waiting for something. Everything worked out good. He'll be even better going a mile, exciting horse."

“It’s a special day. I’m really happy with the horse and it was a fantastic ride from Dylan,” said the winning trainer.

“He had a really good debut and the form of that maiden worked out really well. He came back here the last day off a lay-off and we knew whatever happened that we were going to be better after the run.

“I’m not saying we’d thought we’d win today but we thought we’d run a big race and I thought he was very impressive. Dylan said he idled in front and he’s a top notcher.”

O’Brien, who also saddled the fourth-placed Cowardofthecounty, added: “They are two high-class colts, but this guy (Scorthy Champ) probably has a little bit of brilliance about him.

“I was very happy with Cowardofthecounty’s run too. He didn’t get the run of things and I think he’s going to be better than we saw today.”

On whether Scorthy Champ will run again this year, he said: “I don’t know but if I was to guess I’d say we probably would.

“He had a mid-season break, not by choice as he had a little hold up after his debut, so I’d say we probably will see him again this year somewhere. I see him more as a miler, so I suppose he could go for the Lagardere or the Breeders’ Cup.”

Matisse to leave it late in Dewhurst

Aidan O’Brien felt Henri Matisse had not lost much in defeat.

“He’s a baby still. When he got there the last day he jinked and he did the same today. He’s still mentally immature, probably physically mature but mentally immature,” he said.

“I knew Joseph fancied the winner and it was probably a good race.

"In those Group Ones, if you don't do thing's right you get nailed. In all fairness, Ryan said he felt he never got there and Joseph's horse was holding him all the way but we think he's very good, he's a lot of class but get there late and leave him alone, he's obviously a little immature at the moment.

"I imagine something like the Dewhurst (next). Horses like that are usually better in a good race, take your time when the pace is on and the race comes back to you. A lot of horses you can't do that because if you don't have the class you won't get into it but he has a lot of class, his class would probably take him into it.

"We'll see how he is and what the lads think."

More from Sporting Life

• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.