Crosse making the most of his opportunities

Young Nathan Crosse (2nd winner) and Peticoatgovernment proved an irresistible combination when fending off all comers in the Slane Handicap at Navan.

Crosse was on a Holy Roman Emperor in this sprint, and that proved to be a second winner for the sire after his son Romanised landed the opening two-year-old maiden.

In the end the Willie McCreery-trained 7/1 shot held on by a neck and a short head from Split The Atom and Club Wexford

Willie McCreery said: "We're delighted with that. That was the plan, we had a nice draw. Billy (Lee) couldn't do the weight so I says Nathan is there all summer and comes in every Saturday. He makes the effort to come up from Tipperary and is a grand young fella.

"She's a pretty straightforward filly to ride so I says I'll take the punt and throw him on. You have to give a young lad a chance. He's putting in the effort so he'll get a chance.

"She's a tough, hardy, little mare. By the end of the year we'll try and get a bit of black-type. She'll go to the sales at the end of the year. We'll keep going around a stiff five. She's pretty ground versatile."

(MG & EM)