Kipling stayed on strongly in the closing stages to run out a convincing winner of the Athlumney Maiden at Navan.

The well-bred Galileo colt stepped forward from his comeback effort, having finished fourth at Roscommon 11 days ago.

Seamie Heffernan produced the Ballydoyle charge to lead under a furlong out and he soon asserted to record a three-and-three-quarter length win in the mile contest at odds of 16/5.

“I was disappointed with him the last day but the boss said he needed it badly,” said Heffernan.

“I travelled well and I won well. Hopefully he makes up into what we thought he was last year, he still has a chance.”