Irving put up a game performance as he was given a tough inspection by Top Notch in the Betfair Price Rush Hurdle at Haydock.
The leading pair in a four-runner field served up a terrific finish with Nick Scholfield driving the Paul Nicholls-trained 10-11 favourite home by a length and a quarter.
Top Notch, having his first start since finishing second in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, took over pace-making duties from Melodic Rendezvous after jumping the first flight.
Though Irving was last of the quartet at one stage, he was never that far away and was delivered to challenge two out.
Neither of the first two pinged the last, but Irving was away quicker and made his race fitness pay after making a winning seasonal debut at Wincanton two weeks ago.
Winning jockey Scholfield said: "I was probably over confident if anything, but it was a good performance by the horse.
"He was clever, he was good at the last."
Nicholls said: "It was a muddling race, but Nick said he was always pretty confident.
"He takes time to open up, but he's good from the back of the last and did it well in the end.
"He could run again next Saturday if we're happy with him at the end of the week and then we'll give him a break.
"We won't do a lot with him for the next few days and if he does go to Newcastle, we'll probably leave him then until after Christmas.
"There isn't a lot else for him, so we have to think about it (Fighting Fifth)."
Baradari made an emphatic winning debut for trainer Dan Skelton when romping home in the Betfair 'Tap Tap Boom' 'Fixed Brush' Handicap Hurdle.
Formerly trained by Venetia Williams, the five-year-old pulled clear of the opposition from two out to take this valuable prize with plenty to spare.
Closing Ceremony made the running with Yala Enki and Definitly Red close up.
There was drama five out when Our Kaempfer and Wychwoods Brook came down and Low Key was hampered.
Meanwhile, Baradari (12-1) made stealthy progress under the trainer's brother, Harry and put it up to Definitely Red who had struck for home.
Baradari kicked on and was not for stopping as he bounded to victory by seven lengths from Definitly Red. Batavir stayed on for third place 12 lengths away with Alcala fourth.
Rock The Kasbah was a comprehensive winner of the Better Odds With Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle.
A 9-2 chance having filled the runner-up spot in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month, Philip Hobbs' inmate appeared to be finding it hard work in the testing conditions, with jockey Tom O'Brien having to earn his riding fee.
However, Rock The Kasbah proved a willing partner and the further he went, the better he looked.
He began to assert on the run to the final flight and powered clear for an eight-length success over Aerlite Supreme.
O'Brien said: "He had a good comeback at Chepstow and has built on it today.
"He stays a trip well and will make a lovely chaser in time."
Last year's Welsh Grand National hero Emperor's Choice made a successful return to action with a dour staying performance in the Betfair Home of Price Rush Handicap Chase.
Making his first appearance since his Chepstow heroics of last December, the Venetia Williams-trained eight-year-old did not always convince in the jumping department and was under pressure some way from home in the three-and-a-half-mile contest.
Having led his rivals a merry dance for much of the journey, King Of The Wolds looked to be going best early in the straight, but he emptied quickly on the run to the second last and the chasing pack, including Emperor's Choice, closed up.
Lackamon threatened to make a real race of it jumping the final fence, but Emperor's Choice responded to Aidan Coleman's urgings to score by a length and three-quarters.
Baby King stuck to his task to get leading jockey Paddy Brennan's day off to a flying start in the Read Paul Nicholls Exclusively On Betfair Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.
Tom George's six-year-old was the 3-1 favourite on his first appearance since the spring and Brennan cut a confident figure in the saddle throughout.
The market leader cruised to the front at the top of the home straight, but soon had the equally strong-travelling Zaidiyn in his slipstream.
The two settled down to fight it out after the final flight, but Baby King was always doing enough to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
