Three Majors is ridden out by Gavin Ryan© Photo Healy Racing
The well-backed Three Majors recorded his second win of the year at Dundalk, as he stayed on best to beat He's Our Music in the Bank Holiday Racing At Dundalk Apprentice Handicap.
The Anthony McCann trained five-year-old touched 7/1 on-course, before going off a 5/1 joint-favourite with Gavin Ryan in the saddle.
Settled behind the leaders, the Rita Shah owned victor was fourth as they entered the straight. He was ridden to challenge on the outer over a furlong from home, and kept on best to lead in the closing stages, going on to score by half a length.
He's Our Music (10/1), who was bidding for a record 10th win at Dundalk, had to settle for second under Denis Linehan for Dick Donohoe, while Lady Rosebud (10s to 8s) was another half a length back in third, with Killian Leonard in the saddle for Pat Martin.
McCann said afterwards: "Kevin Manning has won on him before and he gave Gavin a good prep talk before the race today.
"This horse has serious ability if he puts it in. I changed his headgear and put the visor on today but that will only work for one or two runs.
"He's in good old order and actually took a bit of a blow. I thought I had him fit enough but maybe he just got held up a bit with the weather last week.
"You more or less have to take a pull on him the whole time and make him think he's getting one over on you pulling against you. Gavin looks a very good apprentice and is one to look out for.
"He's entered here again on Friday night and we'll see how he is after this."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined War Room trained by S.M.Duffy, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have coughed a couple of times post race.
S.M.Duffy, trainer of War Room, reported to the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer that his charge was examined endoscopically post race and was found to have mucus in his respiratory tract
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
