Point Nepean and Shane Crosse (right) beat Malawi© Photo Healy Racing
The Navan Racecourse Maiden produced a thrilling finish with the Joseph O'Brien-trained newcomer Point Nepean emerging as a narrow victor.
It was a three way go in the closing stages as long-time leader Malawi was joined by Xeres and Point Nepean.
There was little to choose between Malawi and the newcomer by Camelot close home and Point Nepean just had his head down at the right time to secure a short-head win under Shane Crosse.
Xeres was two lengths back in third at the line in the one-mile-five heat.
Assistant Brendan Powell said afterwards:- “It was a game effort. He's still quite raw and green,
“It's a race for staying horses which he's going to be. The second horse is a grand horse, he looked green first time out as out lad did today.
“Shane said he just ran around a little bit but he said when the other horse came to him he put his head down and battled.
“If you've got a game horse you are going to win races. Hopefully he will do so in the future over trips. He'll improve in every way for the run.
“We won this last year with Hy Brasil who was a similar type of horse but I think, hopefully, this lad will be a better horse than him.”
