Trainer Tom McCourt combined with joint-Champion Apprentice Ben Curtis to win the Cathy Davey Handicap at Leopardstown this evening.

Curtis need to be patient on the son of Docksider, badly drawn in 14, eventually moving his way to the front inside the final furlong, for a win over Akasaka

Afterwards McCourt stated “he did it well and has seen out the seven furlongs better than I thought.”

“After one furlong he settled well and Ben is riding with serious confidence - it makes all the difference.”

“Copper Dock is the type of horse that needs to be held onto for as long as possible and will go for something similar next. He’s in good form and hopefully the ground will stay fast for him.”

Thomas Weekes