Kieran O'Neill was seen to good effect when getting the Willie McCreery-trained Mini Chou home by half a length in the opening Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap at Navan this afternoon.

The 17 runner sprint was a typically open affair in this grade, and the three-year-old daughter of Elusive City emerged to lead over a furlong out. She got over to the far rail in the closing stages and stayed on well to beat Statue Of Dreams Cheviot just three quarters of a length back in third.

“She stayed at it well, and enjoyed the uphill finish and the sound surface. It was a fair effort for a three-year-old against experienced handicappers, and Kieran gave her a fine ride.