Champion Apprentice's claim is reduced to 5lbs following Dundalk double Shane Crosse had his claim reduced having partnered the second leg of a double at Dundalk this evening, as the newly crowned Champion Apprentice Jockey landed the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap (div 1) on Too Precious for his employer Joseph O'Brien. Both individuals had earlier combined to win a maiden with Vhagar and Too Precious herself shed her maiden tag in style, when landing a gamble. The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor was an 18/1 chance this morning and having opened 11/1 on track, was returned an 8/1 chance before eventually beating runner-up Lady De Vesci by two and a half lengths. Trainer O'Brien supplied 13 of Crosse's 23 winners in this year's now concluded flat season and following today's latest success Crosse, steering his 30th winner, said “she disappointed us the last twice in handicaps but she had solid maiden form and had a good run here earlier this year so we knew she handled it. "That's my 7lb claim gone now.” Quotes from Alan Magee
