Their younger stable-companion earned a 16-1 quote from Paddy Power for the same Classic by outbattling Coventry Stakes runner-up Pakhoes in the final furlong of this year’s running, asserting close home for a neck success under Mick Kinane.

The winner, bought for 1.1million as a foal, had won a maiden at Leopardstown on his debut only two weeks previously and O’Brien said: ‘‘This was a big jump from running very green in a maiden and I thought Pakhoes would be hard to beat but he answered every call.

‘‘I think the first two could be good colts. Hold That Tiger will probably have a little rest and then fit into Group races.’’

O’Brien, saddling his fourth straight winner of the Railway Stakes, also revealed that his Coventry Stakes winner Statue Of Liberty - 14-1 favourite for the 2000 Guineas with Paddy Power - is likely to run next in the Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Oaks day.

Pakhoes’ trainer Dermot Weld spiked the British guns with a one-two in the Budweiser FIFA World Cup Stakes, albeit not in the order punters expected.

His 13-2 shot Tiger Royal headed 4-1 Agnetha 100 yards from home in the five-furlong dash and had a neck to spare over his stable-companion at the line.

The 7-2 favourite Bishops Court fared best of the well-fancied overseas contenders in third place, with The Trader sixth and last year’s winner Repertory seventh.

Weld reckoned persistent rain had tipped the scales against top-of-the-ground performer Agnetha, who was the chosen mount of stable-jockey Pat Smullen.

‘‘I walked the course this morning and it was still on the fast side but it has been raining since 9.00am,’’ the trainer said. ‘‘There is not much between them and the ground made the difference.

‘‘Agnetha has run a cracking race as the only three-year-old in the field and she could now go for the King George Stakes at Goodwood.

‘‘Tiger Royal has got to stay at the Curragh - he has won five times here now.’’

Britain came closer to success in the six-furlong John Roarty Memorial Scurry Handicap as Tom Tun finished second to Marionnaud, coming from well off the pace under Kieren Fallon and going down by just a neck at the line.

‘‘They went too fast for him early on,’’ said the runner-up’s owner Tom Tunstall. ‘‘But he came through and Kieren said he got to the front but the winner came again.

‘‘We will probably wait for the Ayr Gold Cup with him now.’’

Marionnaud had finished ninth in the Irish 1000 Guineas on her previous start and is now likely to be returned to Pattern company by trainer Jim Bolger, who has his sights set on the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.