Niven is a tough three-year-old as he showed by following up his win from Limerick on Thursday in the Thomastown Handicap at Gowran.

The Elusive Pimpernel gelding again had Shane Foley in the plate and the 2/1 second favourite ground it out well from over a furlong out to eventually get the better of Burma Star and Brontide by half a length and two and a quarter lengths.

"It's relief more than anything as I did exactly the opposite from what I said on Thursday when I was talking about giving him a chance after that run," said winning trainer Ken Condon.

"He came out of the race very well and hasn't left a nut. We jogged him up yesterday and this morning and he was as good as gold.

"He handles that ground very well. We're delighted. He's a very reliable horse and they'll have great fun with him.

"We'll definitely give him a few weeks off now and see what the handicapper does. He's a nice big horse."

(GC & EM)