Night Singer pricks his ear as he approaches the line under Ian Brennan© Photo Healy Racing
8/1 shot Night Singer for Adrian McGuinness and Ian Brennan stayed on best to take the Mallow.ie Apprentice Handicap over a mile.
Having won a 1m 1f Handicap at Gowran last July the 4yo son of Oratorio has been a consistent sort and was placed twice on his six starts since.
Having chased the leaders early on the bay gelding was fifth at the halfway stage. He was ridden to close in fourth, two furlongs out before hitting the front just outside the furlong marker, keeping on well from there to score by two and a quarter lengths. Invincible Don on his second start for John Morrison ran well to take second at 12/1 under seven pound claimer David Bergin while the 5/1 favourite Legendary Times was a further head back in third for Pat Flynn and Shane Gray.
The aforementioned favourite, who is owned by Irish International Footballer John O’Shea, missed the break and made up a lot of ground in the straight to finish a somewhat unlucky third.
Winning trainer Adrian 'Ado' McGuinness said afterwards: "He will run in Gowran now on Thursday (Kilkenny Handicap over 1m).
"He was given a great ride. He didn’t jump out at the break but Ian got after him. Hopefully this will kick start him off for the rest of the season.
"He will probably go over hurdles at some stage during the summer.
“Gary O’Brien from Attheraces is a member of the syndicate (Night Sopranos Syndicate) that owns him."
Winning rider Ian Brennan was recording his first winner in Ireland since June of 2008 after recently returning from the UK. (DM & TW)
