Gary Carroll stretched further clear of his rivals for the leading apprentice award after he came home in front of the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Fillies maiden aboard the Michael Halford trained Sampers

Carroll produced the Exceed And Excel filly to lead well inside the final furlong and the pair stayed on well for a length a half win over stablemate Smartest

Winning trainer Halford stated afterwards: “We have a lot of similar horses for these type of races and you just have to let them take on one and other.”

“She wasn’t winning out of turn and she loves this surface. We thought she’d win the last day at Fairyhouse.”

Halford also mentioned: “Smartest ran a blinder in second and should have no problem in picking up a maiden somewhere.”

Carroll who is apprenticed to Halford was recording only his second ever winner for the trainer this evening and his first winner for him this season.