John Alexander (9/1) made a winning handicap debut today, landing Dundalk's opening Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Handicap for trainer/breeder/owner Luke Comer and jockey Paddy Harnett.

The son of Harzand had finished third on his most recent maiden run, on course debut, in December and today was produced from mid-field to lead inside the final furlong and beat Je T'ai Porte by half a length.

Comer's assistant Jim Gorman later said "I thought he might have been a bit high in the handicap, but you can't argue with the handicapper now - it was probably a good race the last day.

"I always knew he would get a mile and a half, he was always going to get it with maturity and everything.

"He'll be back here depending on what the handicapper does and he'll run on the turf as well. Please God he turns into a nice staying horse."

Quotes from Michael Graham