Last year's Irish Derby-third French Claim returned to winning ways at Navan today, landing the Navan Racecourse Race for trainer Paddy Twomey, jockey Bill Lee and owners Teme Valley.

Third-placed behind Westover in last June's Irish classic, the son of French Fifteen today had no difficulty justifying 4/9 favouritism, beating runner-up Taipan by seven and a half lengths.

Twomey, following a winning start to the new season, said “it was a nice to get a lead (from front-running Oriental Eagle , he has form on that ground, won on it in Listowel and Cork but he is pretty versatile. He's good fresh.

“The end of last year was a bit of a mess so hopefully this year we'll have a good year. I'd say he'll come back here for the Vintage Crop Stakes. He was third in the Irish Derby but he hasn't won a stakes races yet so we'll try and win one, and take the steps from there.

“Today was just to take the first step and hopefully he'll improve. Staying isn't a problem to him.”

Quotes from Gary Carson