A 10th win and first on turf for Sporting Hero

Sporting Hero registered a 10th career success and a first on turf in the opener at Navan this afternoon, the Kilberry Apprentice Handicap.

Successful on his debut for Bill Durkan at Dundalk in March before failing to make an impact on his last two starts, the admirable six-year-old was available at 4/1 in early shows for this five-furlong sprint, eventually going off at 11s.

With the rail to guide him, the 69-rated bay soon got to the front under Jamie Orr and responded well when ridden with over a furlong to go, ultimately coming home two-and-a-quarter lengths to the good.

The hat-trick seeking An Laochmor (5/1f) tried hard but couldn't reel the winner in, and he had to settle for the runner-up berth under Patrick McGettigan for Danny Murphy.

There was another length-and-a-quarter back to Polar Bear (11/2 from 12s early) in third, while Poweracclaim (6/1) completed the placings in fourth.

Assistant trainer Gary Bannon said: "He (Orr) did exactly what I said. He has been unruly in the stalls on his last two starts - for whatever reason, is he getting clever? I just said if he is acting up, to get one of the lads to give him a hand, and one of the stall handlers jumped up and gave him a hand.

"I said, 'just let the horse run' and he rolled away lovely. I said, 'don't disappoint him' and walking the track I knew there was no yielding in it, it is very quick ground, I think. It suited him.

"He has never won on the turf, so he has now.

"He leads two-year-olds, that is his job. He's getting plenty of work and the young lad has given him a great ride.

"We are in a rich vein of form all year, the horses are running well. It is up to his owner Neil (Durkan) in the charity race on Saturday (Punchestown) for a good cause.

"He (Orr) said he could feel the horses coming and he said as soon as he felt them coming, he said he wouldn't be afraid to go six (furlongs) on the grass. Maybe an easier six with the tough finish here.

"He's a great little horse and he is very easy to ride at home. He knows his job, it wasn't about improving him just the change of scenery that has done it for him."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham