Captain Corcoran made the breakthrough on his seventh start, as he kept on best to take the www.navanracecourse.ie Nursery Handicap.

Second and fourth on his first two starts in handicap company, the Johnny Murtagh trained gelding disappointed when sixth on his most recent outing at Naas.

Sent off at 5/1 this afternoon, the son of Anjaal raced in mid-division under Andrew Slattery, coming with his challenge between horses from the furlong pole.

He then edged to the front inside the final 50 yards and went on from there to prevail by half a length.

Recent Curragh winner The King Of Kells (6/4fav) had to settle for second under Chris Hayes for Michael Mulvany, while Garsman (8/1) was just a nose away in third.

"It was great that he won. He went up a few pounds for being second at the Curragh earlier in the year and it's taken him a while to get back down," said Murtagh.

"He always showed plenty of speed and I'm delighted he's got his head in front.

"My wife (Orla) will be delighted and her friend Katrina Buckley, they own him. I did say I'd win a two-year-old race with him so I'm glad he has now.

"We'll see what the handicapper does but he's in the sales at Goffs and that could be his next assignment."

The win moves Andrew Slattery one clear of Oisin Orr (38-37) in the race to be crowned Champion Apprentice.

STEWARDS REPORTS

L.F. Roche, rider of Garsman trained by M.D. O'Callaghan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right inside the final furlong.

B.M. Coen, rider of Mogwli trained by W. McCreery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was slowly away from the stalls.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson