Empresario made his return to fences a successful one when running out a game winner of the Meath Farm Machinery Handicap Chase at Navan.

Bryan Cooper produced his mount to lead before the second last in the two-and-a-half mile contest and he looked in control going to the final fence.

Matthew Smith 's charge tired slightly on the run-in but had enough left at the end to hold last year's winner Valours Minion by three-parts-of-a-length.

The winner had finished last on his most recent outing on the level at Galway earlier in the month but had been a good third on the Flat here just two days prior to that run.

"Bryan took his time and gave him a great ride. I knew he was in good order and if the ground was better I would have fancied him big time,” said Smith.

"He's a lovely horse to have. The last day at Galway probably just came a bit soon as it was only a few days after he had a hard race here."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)