Canute completed a double on the afternoon for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore when staying on strongly to win the Royal County Handicap at Navan.

An unlucky in running fourth at the Curragh last time, the O'Brien trained colt was sent off an odds on favourite to make up for that disappointment.

Held up in rear in the early stages of this contest, Moore made ground early in the straight to track leader Malbay Madness

However, he seemed at pains not to hit the front too early, perhaps, mindful of just how much his mount would find under pressure. When he did ask for an effort, the response was instant as the son of Quality Road quickened up smartly to win his race.

Aidan O'Brien said: "He had a good run the last day. You have to be very happy with him.

"He's improving and we might have a look at something in Ascot for him, maybe one of those three-year-old handicaps.

"I was asking Ryan if a mile or a mile and a quarter was his trip, and he said maybe a mile and a quarter. He's not stuck to the ground either."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham