Sent on his way the 1-4 favourite under Seamie Heffernan, the five-year-old entire had to work very hard to fend off the sustained challenge of the Ed Dunlop-trained Snow Fairy.

Famous Name finished third.

So You Think was also providing O’Brien with a sixth Irish Champion Stakes in the last nine years.

Fellow O'Brien inmate Roderic O'Connor endeavoured to make all of the running, with So You Think in second and Snow Fairy in third for most of the 10-furlong assignment.

The placings remained unchanged as they turned in for home, at which stage the winner spurted into life.

Heffernan’s companion sauntered into the lead just before the two-furlong marker, but the Frankie Dettori-ridden Snow Fairy was clearly back to her best, and refused to buckle under intense pressure.

For a fleeting moment So You Think could feasibly have been overtaken, but the former Bart Cummings inmate showed plenty of resistance to score by half a length.

John Magnier, of the Coolmore triumvirate, said: ``He's a good horse, and she (Snow Fairy) is a very good filly, so it was a good race.

“This horse’s record is there for everyone to see.

“He’s the kind of a horse who we are spoilt for choice with options.

“He could run in the mile race at Ascot (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes), the mile-and-a-quarter race (Qipco Champion Stakes, Ascot), or he could run in the Arc.”

Of a potential return to Australia, Magnier added: “You could never say never, but it’s not imminent.”