Star apprentices scoop big pots at Naas

STAR apprentices Chris Hayes and Rory Cleary scooped big pots at Naas yesterday, recording victories on Taqseem and Essex respectively.

Hayes, in only his second season, is five winners ahead of his arch-rival in the race for the Apprentice Championship and drove Taqseem, trained by his boss Kevin Prendergast, clear in the final furlong to slam Set Fire in the Derrinstown Stud Birdcatcher Nursery.

“They're both improving, horse and jockey” declared Prendergast. “Gelding Taqseem after he got beaten in Tralee has made a big difference. And dropping him in trip has helped too. We'll see what happens, what the handicapper does with him, before we decide what to do next.”