STEPPING up in distance looks to have unlocked a host of new possibilities for dual Group 1 winner Al Riffa, who bolted up on his first try at a mile and six furlongs in the Group 2 Michael John Kennedy Curragh Cup.

Both of Joseph O’Brien’s previous Melbourne Cup winners, Rekindling and Twilight Payment, managed to win this prize and the possibility of this five-year-old heading down under has also been raised by connections.

Having switched off nicely from behind the pace, there was an awful lot to like about how the son of Wootton Bassett quickened up and put the race to bed without major fuss a furlong and a half from home under Dylan Browne McMonagle.

On paper, it looked a good opportunity for the 118-rated performer, given he didn’t have to carry a penalty for his German Group 1 win last season due to the race conditions, and he took full advantage by five lengths as the 4/5 favourite.

“He's a horse with a lot of class and went last to first in a National Stakes here before, in fairness to him,” said O’Brien’s race planner Kevin Blake.

"No-one ever felt that he needed that trip but it made sense. He was very relaxed and Dylan said he was a very easy ride over that trip. He quickened up and you saw what he did, it was really, really good.

"I'd say it’s most likely that he'll go straight to the Irish Leger from here. There is a possibility of the Group 1 that he won in Berlin last year, but I'd say it’s more likely he'll go straight to the Irish Leger.

“The Melbourne Cup is in the minds thereafter. We all know what comes with that [in terms of medical checks for international runners] but that would be what we'd like to do, if we're allowed. We always want to go down there but it's not easy to get there.

“If all goes smoothly here, we'll try and put him forward and see if we can get through the hoops. I don't see any reason why he can't.”