The Yellow Clay (near side) beating Fleur In The Park© Photo Healy Racing
Odds-on punters were made to really sweat before The Yellow Clay just got up on the line to justify 4/11 favouritism in the Grade 2 Tote Navan Novice Hurdle Fleur In The Park set the pace in this 2m4f event and was still travelling well about a length up at the final flight.
However, the distress signals soon came out for Cian Quirke on the leader and The Yellow Clay stayed on gamely under Sam Ewing on the run-in to just get there in time.
A neck separated the pair at the line with Mozzies Sister five lengths back in third.
Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said, "He had his head in front at the right time which is always a good sign in a horse.
"I'd say the second horse got a good ride, he got the fractions right and he kicked at the right time. He nearly caught us.
"I told Sam not to be in front too soon, he rode our horse to instructions.
"He is winning, so that is all that matters. He's learning how to race."
Owner Noel Moran added, "To be honest, I thought we were in trouble after the last. It was a good, battling performance."
The Yellow Clay is unchanged at 12/1 with Paddy Power and Betfair for the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
