Eacharn gained a narrow win for father and son, trainer and jockey combination of Andy and Andrew Slattery at Dundalk this evening in the Dundalk Stadium Apprentice Handicap (div 2).

The son of Lilbourne Lad got the better of runner-up Amazing One in a tight finish and afterwards winning trainer Andy Slattery said “I think the jockey was good on him, he was strong. He's still only seven stone and hasn't put on any weight since last year but he's coming on the whole time.”

He added “we left the cheekpieces off him tonight. I thought he'd win last week but he was disappointing and ran a bit flat.

“His owner (Lynne MacLennan) had a winner in France last Friday and also had a winner in Ffos Las in the bumper so I hoping that lad would give her a three-timer but it didn't work out.

“It's grand to win with him. He probably has more ability than he's showing; he was off the bridle a long way out and stayed at it.

“We could try him with blinkers over a shorter trip but he looked like he wants a mile there so that's probably what we'll do.

“We'll tip away for the winter. He does go on soft ground as well so we'll keep him busy.”

Quotes from Gary Carson