War Room gained a maiden win in the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Championship Apprentice Handicap (DIV II) at Dundalk today, scoring for trainer Shane Duffy and jockey Dyaln Robinson.

The son of Holy Roman Emperor failed to gain any prizemoney on 15 previous starts before today but on just his third start for Duffy, flew home in the closing stages for a late win over Happy Anniversary

Afterwards Duffy stated “I only have the horse a short while, and he was only beaten a length here last time which put him right there with a chance.

"We rode him to stay a mile tonight and it proved just perfect. He's probably better fresh and I only half train him. He'll definitely win another one up here.

"I'm delighted for the owner (Eugene Kavanagh) who is a good friend and a very good owner."

The race was marred by the fatal fall of Back Farm Lady which slipped up and broke a leg three furlongs from home. Her rider Robbie Downey was fine afterwards.

Quotes from Alan Magee