Takeachancejimmy strikes for Slevin & Farragher

Takeachancejimmy recorded a fifth career success and a second this season, as he ran out a comfortable winner of the last at the Curragh, the extra.ie Apprentice Handicap.

A winner at Navan in August, the Nigel Slevin trained six-year-old since failed to make an impact at Tipperary and Dundalk.

Available at 20/1 in early shows for this mile contest, the son of Art Connoisseur came in for some market support and eventually went off at 9/1 in the colours of owner Thomas Connolly.

Settled towards rear on the outer by Adam Farragher, he took closer order with over two furlongs left to race and hit the front at the furlong pole.

Soon ridden, he went clear in the closing stages, going on to prevail by three lengths.

Excusio Joe (6/1) finished second under Dylan Browne-McMonagle for Matthew Smith, while Phoenix Open (16/1) was another length and three parts back in third. Darkened and Overheer were sent off the 4/1 joint-favourites and they finished fourth and seventh respectively.

Slevin said afterwards: "A mile on soft ground seems to suit him. We took him to Tipperary and the ground went against him and Dundalk didn't work.

"He did it well today. He's a bit hit and miss but when he gets it right he's good. We'll probably keep going until the grass season ends."

STEWARDS REPORT

S.T. McCullagh, rider of Eastern Racer trained by Sean Byrne, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes