The finale on this afternoon's card at Navan the Friends of St Johann Ski Resort bumper over 2m went to the odds-on 4/6 favourite Formidableopponent for Noel Meade and Nina Carberry.
The winning son of Arakan won a point-to-point at Lemonfield in March but disappointed on his racecourse debut at Punchestown last month finishing sixth behind Joxer when sent off the 4/7 favourite.
Today, the 4yo gelding made smooth progress on the outside to ease into the lead a furlong and a half from home. From there he kept on well to score by two and a half lengths. Mad Brian put in an eye-catching performance to finish a good second at 11/1 for his trainer Gillian Callaghan while Maccas Lad was a further ten lengths back in third at 12/1.
Winning trainer Noel Meade, who was completing a double on the day having scored earlier with Il Fenomeno said afterwards: "He needed the run last time out. He ran too keen and got tired. He was a different proposition today. Nina got him settled.
"He might not want real heavy ground as he hasn't got a huge foot on him. I reckon the second horse might be a good horse.
"He will go jumping now. He has already won a point-to-point and he might be out before Christmas."
