Building Bridges was off the bridle a good way from home but finished strongest of all in the mile and five maiden at Navan.

He was asked for more over three furlongs out and looked in trouble when he was ridden in third in pursuit of the leaders with more than a quarter of a mile to negotiate. Macquarie and Metier appeared to have the race between them as they slugged it out in front, however, Building Bridges really found his straps in the final furlong and mowed them down to hit the front inside the final 100 yards.

Shane Foley 's mount was well supported from 3/1 to 2/1 joint favourite. Hasankey (10/1) also finished well to chase him home by a length and a half. Macquarie (16/1) came in third, a further length away.

Trainer Jessica Harrington said: "He sort of makes it hard work for himself as he travels on and off.

“He's been like that in all his races. Shane thought four furlongs out that he was never going to get there and then he ends up winning a length-and-a-half. He actually makes it look easy in the end.

“Basically he probably wants up to a mile-and-six and a good galloping track. I don't think ground is any issue.

“He might have made it easier for himself today if he hadn't stumbled coming out of the stalls. He got caught very wide on the first bend.

“He is what he is. He's won his maiden now, thank God, and we'll go from there.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson