Feeling gets the nod in apprentice thriller

Love The Feeling just prevailed in a head bobbing finish to the Derek O'Sullivan Memorial Apprentice Handicap at the Curragh.

Tom Madden got a lovely run through on the inner to lead early in the straight on the 9/2 favourite but she was all out in the closing stages as Sli Na Fiarana challenged.

The runner-up appeared to get her head in front briefly in the closing stages but it was Willie McCreery's charge who got the verdict at the line by a nose.

The winner had been impressive when making a successful debut over hurdles at Roscommon on her last outing.

“It was the shortest of short-heads and I thought I was done at the line,” admitted McCreery.

“The hurdle race seems to have given her a lot of confidence. Billy Lee rode her last time (on the Flat) and said she got a fair old bump turning in.

“She was fair stubborn to learn the game but won her hurdle fierce well and there is a Listed hurdle in November that I'll keep in mind for her.

“The softer ground in the autumn will suit and she won't run again until she gets soft ground. I thought if it had been softer she would have won that easy.”