Gavin Cromwell's Born Braver showed his mettle to grind down Big Stage at the end of an extended 2m3f maiden hurdle in Naas.

He was a good two lengths in arrears of Big Stage over the final flight but the stiff, long finish suited him best as he really warmed to his task.

Big Stage needed the line in the closing stages and was collared by the pursuer close home. Born Braver went on by a length and a-quarter at 9/2 from the 11/4 runner-up. Ayiko (14/1) was another four and three-quarter lengths back in third.

Jockey Keith Donoghue said: “He’s a very laid-back horse and I knew the finish here would suit him. I thought when I got over the last that he was always going to get there.

“He stays well, but you can’t force him either and have to let him find his feet. We went a good gallop.

“The ground probably looks a bit better than it is. I rode in the first race and you can see the ground is opening up now and it’s tougher.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee