Zihba will now be targeted at the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas after maintaining his unbeaten record in the Group 3 Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Owned by Ms G Britton, Mr Werrett, Mr McGuinness & Mr Reid Scott the son of Choisir  justified favouritism to get the best of his 6 rivals. Striking the front a furlong out, Zihba stayed on well to score by a length and a half under jockey Chris Hayes.

“He did it well. It’s not easy to beat those older horses at times but he was getting the weight. We’ll line him up for the Irish Guineas and whether he’s good enough or not we’ll see.

“He wants fast ground. We were thinking of going for the Craven and Tetrarch but we waited and this is where we ended up coming in the end. He works well and has always pleased us.” Fozzy Stack