Hassett joins Whearty at the head of the apprentice title race Wayne Hassett drew level with Robert Whearty in the apprentice title race after Powerful Hook Head gained a bittersweet victory in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Optional Claiming Race at Dundalk. Hassett moved onto the 23-winner mark for the campaign after the Joseph O’Brien-trained gelding made headway between horses under two furlongs out and got on top inside the final 150 yards. The 9/2 chance kept on well in the closing stages to beat Benavente by two and a quarter lengths with Satono Chevalier a further half a length away in third. However, the winner lost his action and pulled up quickly soon after passing the line and didn’t return to the parade ring. Hassett said "Plan was to make the running, but he was a little bit slow out today - he can be like that at times. "Got a lovely position, just literally in behind the leaders with the pace and I was able to keep him in behind for as long as I could. "When I asked him to pick up, he picked up lovely with the blinkers on today. "Unfortunately, he didn't come out of it well - badly injured." On moving level with Robert Whearty at the head of the apprentice jockeys' title race he added, "Draws me level with Robert again. I was second in it last year and it was great craic last year. "This year now, I'm looking to win it. I'm not messing around anymore, all guns blazing." Benavente was later claimed for €10,000 by James McAuley to be trained by Denis Hogan, while Satono Chevalier was claimed for €5,000 by Aidan Melia. Quotes by Michael Graham
