Harnett ties apprentice race after Imposing victory Paddy Harnett joined Sam Coen on 26 winners in the race for the apprentice title when giving Imposing a fine front-running ride in the seven furlong maiden at Punchestown. The Wootton Bassett colt bounced out in front but had Dawnmore for company at the halfway point. He asked the Aidan O’Brien-trained 7/2 shot to take the advantage early in the straight and his mount found plenty to hold the late effort of 15/8 favourite Nonsense by a length-and-a-half. The winner had stepped forward significantly from his debut run to finish second at Leopardstown 12 days ago. Harnett was riding his first winner for Ballydoyle and said:- "Disregarding everything else, to ride a winner for Aidan and in these silks(Westerberg), as an apprentice it's unbelievable. “I do a small bit of riding out for him but even to be in there in the mornings riding out is class. To ride one at the track for him and win on it is brilliant. A huge thanks to him and his team and all the owners as well. “I definitely think riding out in Ballydoyle has improved me. I've been a lot sharper since I started going in there. Obviously the amount of good people working in there is class. “You'd always learn something. If you came out of there learning one thing it's a plus but I think I'm learning loads in there. “Imposing is a grand horse. His first start was here which was probably all the better coming back here again today as it's a track that takes a bit of getting used to. “I popped out good and handy and ended up making the running. I was glad that Luke(McAteer on Dawnmore) was beside me just for a bit of company. It was easy all the way. “Once I turned in and gave him a kick, he picked up and hit the line really well. Next year I think he'll probably stay further. He's a grand horse, he's got a good attitude." (Quotes by John O’Riordan)
