Young Nathan Crosse (2nd winner) and Peticoatgovernment proved an irresistible combination when fending off all comers in the Slane Handicap at Navan.

Crosse was on a Holy Roman Emperor in this sprint, and that proved to be a second winner for the sire after his son Romanised landed the opening two-year-old maiden.

In the end the Willie McCreery-trained 7/1 shot held on by a neck and a short head from Split The Atom and Club Wexford

Willie McCreery said: "We're delighted with that. That was the plan, we had a nice draw. Billy (Lee) couldn't do the weight so I says Nathan is there all summer and comes in every Saturday. He makes the effort to come up from Tipperary and is a grand young fella.

"She's a pretty straightforward filly to ride so I says I'll take the punt and throw him on. You have to give a young lad a chance. He's putting in the effort so he'll get a chance.

"She's a tough, hardy, little mare. By the end of the year we'll try and get a bit of black-type. She'll go to the sales at the end of the year. We'll keep going around a stiff five. She's pretty ground versatile."

(MG & EM)