Flying Scotsman found another gear on the run-in as he stormed home to land the opening four-year-old maiden hurdle at Navan.

The 6/5 favourite looked under pressure in third jumping the second last but closed on the leaders down to the final flight.

Luke Dempsey got a good tune from the Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding in the closing stages as the Galileo gelding got up to beat Na Caith Tobac by length-and-three-quarters.

The JP McManus-owned winner was making his fourth outing over hurdles and his first start since finishing fifth to French Aseel at Leopardstown last Christmas.

The winning rider said:- “He stayed at it well. He maybe jumped a little bit novicey at times but he picked up well from the back of the last. He loved that better ground.”