Coldstonesober (8/1) stepped up on a string of consistent efforts when fending off Blue Ridge Lane by a length and a half in Navan.

The winner took a couple of lengths out of his pursuers on the run to the second last and good jumps at that hurdle and the final one enabled him to take the spoils in this two mile handicap hurdle as Blue Ridge Lane (11/2 from 10/1 this morning) came with a strong finish.

Trainer Jimmy Finn, who was leading the horse up, commented: “He'll go over fences at Galway on Wednesday.”

The winner had been second in Tramore in mid-August before finishing third at Downpatrick. His September started with a fourth in Roscommon.

Prior to today Coldstonesober’s three victories had come at Downpatrick and Tramore (twice). This was the first time he had been ridden by 3lb claimer Kevin Sexton.

Two northern raiders, Brian Hamilton's Wither Hills and Colin McBratney's Obispo and Brian Hamilton's Wither Hills, were nicely backed to deliver. The former took third at 6/1 (14s in the morning) while the latter, the 4/1 favourite, didn't feature today in ninth.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson