Double for Champion Apprentice Whelan© Photo Healy Racing
Ronan Whelan completed a first and last race double when Aladdins Cave swooped late to land the concluding mile-and-a-half handicap at Dundalk.
The front-running Solo Performer looked to have stolen a march on his rivals as he had a healthy lead turning in.
Whelan got a good tune from his mount inside the final furlong, however, as he grabbed the leader in the closing stages for a half length success.
The winner was supplementing a recent success over hurdles at Fairyhouse.
Trainer Colm Murphy said afterwards:-
"That takes the nip out of the air!
"He's been very good to us. He wants good jumping ground and if Leopardstown was to come up good he'll go there. He'll mix it Flat and jumps."
Whelan had also taken the opening two-year-old maiden on Abstraction
(Additional reporting by Michael Graham)
