Nimitz had to survive a stewards enquiry before being confirmed as the winner of the apprentice handicap over ten furlongs at Navan.

Killian Leonard doubled up on the card when producing the 5/2 joint-favourite to lead passing the furlong pole.

Charles O'Brien 's charge was soon tackled by New Direction and despite drifting right always looked to be holding that rival, prevailing by half a length.

The stewards had a look, with the runner-up coming right with the winner, but there was no alteration.

“That's his third win for the year and he handles that ground well,” said O'Brien.

“We're toying with stepping him up in trip and we might do that. He likes a good galloping track.

“He's in a couple of times next week and we'll see about that, see how much he goes up.

“We tried a mile-and-a-half once in Dundalk but I don't think he was quite right that day so we can discard that and we might give him another go.

“He's a very straight-forward consistent horse.”

Leonard had also won the sprint handicap earlier on the card aboard Gopsies Daughter