Nimitz recorded his fourth career success, as he justified favouritism in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Apprentice Handicap.

Twice successful over the course earlier this year, the Charles O'Brien trained four-year-old was also on the mark at Navan in July.

Second on his last two outings, the consistent son of Casamento was expected to go one place better this evening, and went off the 11/4 favourite in the colours of Michael Keating.

Settled towards rear by Tom Madden, the bay victor took closer order on the approach to the straight, and was pushed along to challenge from the two furlong pole.

He got to the front just inside the final furlong, and was pushed out from there, going on to score by three parts of a length. Commander Won (20/1) kept on well to take second under Danny Sheehy for Dermot McLoughlin, while top-weight Near Kettering (4/1) was a head back in third.

"That was grand and that's his fourth win this year," said O'Brien.

"He likes it here and I'd no doubt that he gets a mile-and-a-half once he gets settled and he settled well today.

"He'll probably go to the horses-in-training at Newmarket but we'll try and get another one before that."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson