Arcland (6/1) made the breakthrough in division one of the Happy Retirement Eamonn Lloyd Apprentice Handicap over a mile and a half in the Curragh.

The son of Arcano had previously been placed in a third of his 15 races (including when runner-up in his last two starts) but showed good resolution to take the honours today.

he travelled strongly on the heels of the leaders racing to the two pole and was given the office by Nathan Crosse to hit the front at the furlong marker.

The four-year-old gelding was driven out to fend off a challenging Molly Kaye (10/1) by a head. Sil Ver Klass the 3/1 favourite, dropped three lengths off the front two in third at the business end.

Trainer Harry Rogers said: "It's nice to get that, he deserved it as he's had some good runs.

“Nathan was good on him, he tracked the right ones.

“He'll go jumping after that and should make a nice hurdle horse as he jumps well.”

Rogers has now won with three of his last nine runners.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson