SKUKUZA looked like a stakes horse in a handicap when winning the Emerald Mile in fine style on Irish Guineas weekend and Ed Dunlop’s charged confirmed that impression when following up in the Listed Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes.

Last month’s third, Slieve Binnian, boosted the form when winning a premier handicap earlier on Sunday’s card, while the British raider was later sent off 11/4 joint second favourite to follow up under Ryan Moore. The Cayton Park Stud homebred made all of the running and was asked to quicken when the 2/1 favourite Currawood challenged two furlongs from home.

Ridden a furlong later, Skukuza lengthened away to win by two and a quarter lengths, while the improving Alakazi (11/4) finished well to claim runners-up honours. The favourite kept on in third.

Representing connections, Dunlop’s travelling head lad Robin Trevor-Jones commented: “We ran him in the Britannia last year where he ran a great race, but it really jarred him up and we couldn’t risk him on that fast ground at Ascot this year.

“It was a brave decision not to run when you are one of the favourites for the Hunt Cup, but the plan has worked. He’s a Listed winner now so we are growing.

“Ryan really wanted to get a lead, but he didn’t expect any pace on so he said I might have to make my own running, which he did. The horse has never done that, but he did everything right and I think the further he went the further he was going to win.

When asked about future plans, Trevor-Jones replied: “He likes coming back here for classic days, so maybe there is something for him on Oaks day!”