Skontonovski and Adam Caffrey (left) beat Zabeir © Photo Healy Racing
Adam Caffrey moved one behind the leaders in the apprentice title race when Skontonovski just prevailed in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap at Dundalk. Zabeir wore down front-runner Profit Surge inside the final furlong of the mile contest but was joined close home by Skontonovski.
The Ado McGuinness-trained gelding just had his head in front at the right time to gain a short-head victory at odds of 10/3. Encosta finished off best and was the same margin back in third.
It was an eleventh career victory for the seven-year-old Skontonovski with seven coming on the all-weather surface here.
Caffrey said: "I suppose he really toughed it out well there today.
"He travelled well. We probably didn't go as hard as he ideally likes them to go - I quickened up well, though.
"I knew I was always getting there slowly. He toughed it out well and thank God he has got his head back in front.
"He was a lot higher today (in the handicap) than before his last win (at Thurles)."
On the apprentice title race, he added: "Keep the head down and see what we can do."
Wayne Hassett and James Ryan currently share the lead in the apprentice title race with 31 winners.
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
