791/1 first treble for leading apprentice Hayes

THE season’s leading apprentice, Chris Hayes, achieved another milestone in his blossoming career when recording his first treble, at odd of 791/1, at Gowran Park last night.

Hayes, apprentice to Curragh trainer Kevin Prendergast, partnered two seconds before winning the State Street Ireland Maiden on the Tom Cooper trained Skyscape, making her Irish debut after an abortive trip to Galway where she was withdrawn after showing an aversion to the starting stalls.

Skyscape drew clear at the furlong pole to beat Sancia and recoup the first instalments of the 20,000 guineas paid for her at the Newmarket sales on behalf of Kenmare based owner, Kevin O’Reilly.

This success brought Hayes’ seasonal tally to 25 and he quickly increased his lead over Rory Cleary in the race for the Apprentice Championship when winning both divisions of the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, in which he now holds a clear lead.

The Pat Hughes trained Elkras Wing came with a late flourish to win the first division in a blanket finish while Sehoya stayed on strongly in the final furlong to win the second division convincingly in the colours of owner/breeder, Michael Grassick, son and namesake of the winning trainer.

Although friendless in the market, Altius, trained by Aidan O’Brien for Mrs. Sue Magnier, made a successful debut in the opening two-year-old maiden. Clearly idling in front, he had to be driven out by Seamus Heffernan to beat Lileagh by a length and a half.

Former champion apprentice Cathy Gannon favoured her first success since losing her claim when Szewinska, trained by her boss, John Oxx, scored a narrow win in the Gorwan Park Golf Club Open Week Handicap.

Szewinska looked set for a clear cut win entering the final furlong but in the dying strides, just held the fast finishing Devious Diva (Chris Hayes).

Kevin Prendergast, trainer of Devious Diva, enjoyed better fortune when Qussaa owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, made all the running for Declan McDonogh to win the Lynam Merit Maiden in good style.

And trainer, Jim Bolger will target the Guinness Gold Cup at the Tralee Festival later this month for Good Surprise, which defied top weight in the concluding handicap. Kevin Manning drove the four-year-old clear to record an impressive victory over Sea Skate.