Golden Cross (right) - worked hard for win.

Golden Cross is on course for a tilt at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival despite an unconvincing victory at Navan.

Mick Halford's charge made heavy weather of landing the odds in the five-runner Grade Three McCabe Builders Ltd Boyne Hurdle.

Johnny Murtagh had to work hard on the 8-15 favourite to collar long-time leader Florida Coast in the last 100 yards, before going on to score by a length and a half with Holy Orders finishing third, 11 lengths away.

Unsurprisingly, bookmakers were not impressed with VC Bet leaving him unchanged at 7-1 for the stayers' championship, William Hill still going 6-1 and Cashmans 8-1.

Halford said: "Johnny said after the race that the horse didn't have much company with only five runners in the race.

"He had to wake him up but he got through the ground well enough and he will be better in a more competitive race with more horses around him.

"He definitely answered the question about staying the trip and will go for the World Hurdle now, ground permitting, and I wouldn't risk him on fast ground.

"He is very easy on himself at home and that is why he ran in the AIG at Leopardstown as I felt he need two races to get himself right."