Golden Twilight and Mikey Sheehy (far side) beat Hurricane Alex © Photo Healy Racing
The BetVictor Loyalty Club Apprentice Handicap produced a good tussle in the final furlong between Golden Twilight (5/1) and Hurricane Alex (8/1) with the former just proving the stronger by a neck.
The Dawn Approach gelding, dropped 7lb after unplaced runs in his first two handicaps, chased the leaders before gaining a narrow advantage a furlong and a half out. Hurricane Alex threw down his challenge at the same juncture but Mikey Sheehy's mount did enough to gain a second career victory. Tooreen Angel (5/1) was best of the rest a further two and a quarter lengths away in third.
Winning trainer Michael Halford said: “Mikey (Sheehy) is very good and is a huge advantage in those apprentice races.
“He disappointed here after winning his maiden at the Curragh and Niall (McCullagh) thought he made a bit of a noise so we put a tongue tie on him. Shane (Foley) just said he never felt that comfortable the last night but he’s been training well at home.
“He’s a grand horse with a very good temperament and seems to enjoy the surface. I’d say he’ll tip away here.
“He has very little mileage on the clock so we’ll keep going with him.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
