A definite Competitive Edge to this improver

On his handicap debut Competitive Edge looked a horse to follow as he ran out a comfortable winner at Navan under Mark Walsh.

Trained by Conor O’Dwyer and owned by JP McManus the five-year-old son of Presenting reeled in Cottrelsbooley at the third last, led two out and jumped the last well to beat Munsaab (7/2 from 6/1 in the morning) by a length and a quarter to justify 11/4 favouritism.

“That was nice. I was a bit worried with it being his first handicap and with the ground being so tacky but he seemed to handle it well,” trainer Conor O'Dwyer said.

“We'll try and find another little handicap for him. He's a fine big horse and will hopefully make a better chaser. He's only five and I couldn't be happier with him.”

Cottrelsbooley and Tom Doyle had raced over 20 lengths clear of the field but the petrol ran out before three flights from home.

Outsider Tin Town Boy (16/1) completed the placings in the nine-runner contest. Rocky Wednesday (11/2 to 7/2) and Dul Ar An Oil (7/1 to 5/1) were the other horses for money in the morning but they finished fourth and seventh respectively.

Competitive Edge was following up on his success in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown in February.

Michael Graham