Titanium and Wayne Hassett win the Foxrock Cup Handicap © Photo Healy Racing
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.”
