Hassett moves one ahead in apprentice race

Wayne Hassett moved one ahead in the race for the apprentice title when scoring on Titanium in the Foxrock Cup Handicap at Leopardstown.

The Ciaran Murphy-trained gelding got a lovely run up the rail in the straight as he hit the front a furlong-and-a-half from home.

Hassett kept the 9/2 shot going in the closing stages to post a three-parts-of-a-length win.

Murphy was completing an across-the-card double after the win of Miss Dishy in the opener at Limerick and he said:-

“Colin (Keane) gave him a lovely ride the last day, he sort of minded him because he knew he was coming back from a wind-op and he kept that in mind.

“When it wasn't happening for him he minded him and we appreciate that.

“Wayne got all the gaps and was very brave on him. I asked him to ride him cold on Colin's recommendation and he did that. He gave him a lovely ride and the horse duly performed.

“He had form on heavy ground but he just needed the run the last day to get his confidence back. He's back to a mile today and everything was right for him.

“If he had run a nice race today we would have been happy and we're in bonus territory now.

“There is a premier handicap on the last day at the Curragh for him. That was always the main aim.

“Obviously you need luck around the Curragh but he's a nice horse to stick into that and we'll have a go.”