The Highway Rat overcame an absence since March when finding plenty close home to see off a sextet of rivals in the Rathkenny Handicap at Navan.

A five-time winner on the all-weather, the Andrew Oliver trained gelding was recording his first success on turf, albeit from limited opportunities.

Held up in the early stages of the race, the five-year-old came through to lead over a furlong out but was soon headed by favourite Silmaniya

However, as jockey Billy Lee asked for more, the Dandy Man gelding dug deep to regain the initiative, keeping on for a snug half-length success.

Andy Oliver said: "He had a very nice run on the opening day of the season (at the Curragh in March) which we thought was on very unsuitable heavy ground. He was beaten off top-weight and we were delighted, and we thought this was his season. Then he had a setback and we are just getting him out now.

"We thought he was plenty short for today, but it was just opportunity. He did that well and Billy was delighted with him. It all went straightforward and to plan."

When asked about his trio of big-race entries, he replied: "We scattergun entered just because it is that time of the season. We wanted to give ourselves opportunities."

When asked if he sees him more as five-furlong horse than a six-furlong horse, he replied: "We thought he would get six, but we just don't know. He has done most of his winning over five, but we certainly will have no problem stepping up to six to see. He settles well in his races."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.