Things looked to be going to plan for the well-backed favourite Homebrew (4/1 this morning into 5/2) in the opening divide of the www.dundalkstadium.com Apprentice Handicap, as he travelled well up the straight, but the big son of Celtic Swing ended up finishing second for the third time in succession as he couldn't resist the charge of Eastern Rules
Eastern Rules is a mere three-year-old with three runs under his belt coming into this contest whereas Homebrew is six and this was his twelfth start. However that gulf in age and experience mattered not a jot out on the track as the Gary Carroll-ridden Eastern Rules got on top in the closing stages to prevail by three parts of a length.
Winning trainer Michael Halford said: "This is the first year we've had horses for Coleman Bloodstock (the successful owners) and it's nice to have a winner for them.
"This horse liked the surface and Gary said he went away on it well. We'll come back here now and just pick up what we can.
"He hadn't much done at two and he came to us late enough – he's only getting the hang of things now."
Of course the silks of Coleman Bloodstock Limited were carried to a famous win when Total Gallery scored in the Prix de l'Abbaye in 2009.
