Cherry Pink clicks again for Jamie Orr Ahead of a cracking renewal of the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase On Sunday, Cherry Pink (14/1) was an appropriate winner of the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Apprentice Handicap. Owned and trained by Bill Durkan, the Elzaam mare had provided Jamie Orr with his first winner when she scored over this extended ten-furlong trip on her penultimate start before finishing unplaced over 1m4f last time out. Having raced in mid-division, the five-year-old made headway in the straight and was driven to the front by Orr inside the final furlong to beat long-standing maiden Ozark Daze (sixth here on Wednesday) by half a length.  Assistant trainer Gary Bannon said: "I think the last day they just went a bit slow and they just quickened from the front, and she stayed on well. We will definitely try a mile and a half again. "In fairness to Jamie, he was adamant tonight if they weren't going to go quick, he would sit closer to the pace which he did. The gaps opened and she doesn't do a whole pile when she gets there.  "In fairness to him, he rides her every day and he knows her well. She was bought for him to learn and he's starting to learn now.  "Hopefully, some people will start to give him a little opportunity. He's actually going to start going into Sheila Lavery on a Tuesday now just for a bit of experience through the winter because we haven't a lot. He will stay with us next summer. He's apprenticed to Bill and he's learning all the time.  "He's a lovely kid and kids struggle in this country to get chances. He has the right name, he has big boots to fill.They (Conor and Oisin) are two first cousins.  "He got a bad fall pony racing and he took a little bit of time out. His cousins asked me would I take him and teach him a bit because he would have missed plenty catching up. That's why he is with me. We'll try and get him up the ladder a bit."  On stable form, he added: "That's 12 winners since May, absolutely flying.  "Everything is going from strength to strength and long may it continue." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
