The BoyleSports Ulster Derby, the feature event at Down Royal on Saturday, went to Aidan O'Brien's Tower Of London, who won in impressive fashion in the hands of 7lb claimer Killian Hennessy.

The son of Galileo was interesting here off a mark of 99, especially when you consider he was as short as 2/1 to beat Auguste Rodin in the Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown last September. He travelled well through the extended mile-and-a-half contest and even when Michael Bell's raider Ibrahimovic built up a lead in the straight, Hennessy always looked in control, taking his colt through smoothly for a three-and-a-half-length score.

With Aidan O’Brien in Ascot, assistant Chris Armstrong was on hand, and said: “Killian gave him a lovely ride. He had a nice win in Leopardstown last time and the form is working out well from that race. We thought he was well in on his mark.

“It’s great to get Killian a winner. He is a massive part of the team, he rides a lot of the good horses’ work with Wayne (Lordan) and it’s great at this time of year that Aidan can spread the rides around and give some of the other jockeys in the yard a chance.

“He probably appreciates that better ground, in fairness to the team up here they have the track in beautiful condition. The ground was perfect for him. He is a horse for those staying races, he could possibly develop into a Leger type.”

Oaks

Earlier Shark Hanlon recorded a notable success with Enfranchise in the €31,500 BoyleSports Irish EBF Ulster Oaks under Gavin Ryan.

Racing prominently, she was committed for home early, which was always the intention, and she saw off a number of challengers, most pertintently Grecian Slipper, who dived late for the hat-trick seeking Dylan Browne McMonagle but was repelled by a nose.

With Hanlon over in Perth where he saddled three runners, Ryan was left to comment and said: “Shark sourced her out of Mark Johnston’s and he was very sweet on her here. He said she’ll stay all day long.

“He said that’s her minimum trip here today so I made plenty of use of her. I committed her early, and while she probably got a little lonely, when the other horse came to her I loved how hard she fought. She has a great attitude, a real hardy filly with a will to win. She’ll stay all day.”