McTaggart under Shane Gray has the measure of Heroine Chic as they approach the line© Photo Healy Racing
The William O'Brien trained McTaggart (8/1) stayed on best to take the Greenmount Apprentice Handicap over a mile with Shane Gray in the saddle.
The 5yo son of Westerner was recording his first career victory this evening on his eighteenth start.
He had gone close in the past and has been in consistent form since the turn of the year.
He finished third in a maiden hurdle at Tramore on New Year's Day and ran well in handicaps on the level over the course last month and at Down Royal earlier this month where he finished fourth behind Bendzoldan.
Having raced in mid-division in the early stages he made headway on the outside from two furlongs out.
He hit the front a furlong from home and stayed on well under pressure to score by a length at the line.
The Peter Fahey trained Heroine Chic finished second at 7/1 under Ronan Whelan while Loveisthedrug was a further two and a quarter lengths back in third under Colin Keane for his father Ger at 20/1. Aragorn Icon completed the placings in fourth at 5/1 while the short priced 2/1 favourite Morethanafeeling finished a disappointing fifth under Marc Monaghan for trainer Christy Donoghue.
