Gary Carroll moved one ahead of Ben Curtis in his bid to be apprentice champion again when he booted home the gambled on Hawkhill (7s into 4s) in the concluding Oldcastle Rated Race at Fairyhouse.

In the process he deprived Joseph O'Brien of a treble, as his mount, the easy-to-back favourite, Sean Og Coulston failed by a length and three parts to Michael Halford's Hawkhill.

Halford said: "He loves the ground, it makes all the difference to him. He likes a bit of cover too which he didn't get last time at the Curragh. Gary gave him a great ride.

"He'll go to Gowran (next Saturday) for a mile handicap. He'll go to the Horses In Training Sale then and he'll make someone a nice hurdler as he jumps well."