Paddy Harnett rode his fourth winner as Bigger And Better convincingly justified favouritism in the Fairyhouse Membership Now On Sale 2020 Apprentice Handicap.

It’s been quite the September for Tony Martin’s Bigger And Better.

He won at Gowran on the 4th, finished an eye-catching 2nd then at the Listowel Festival, before here accounting for second favourite Lord Rapscallion by two and three parts of a length.

Bigger And Better led along the rail two furlongs out, he extended his advantage and was clear a furlong and a half out, and ultimately comfortably prevailed.

“I'm delighted for the horse and the owner. He's a great man and he had the patience to stick with him,” said Martin.

“We had a lot of issues, and a lot of bad luck with him, but touch wood he's well and firing now. Hopefully he can keep going for another while.

“The last day in Listowel I think he was a bit lethargic and idle, he dropped back to last and came home flying. Whereas today he carried him and it was the same in Gowran.

“It was just one of those days, maybe it was the track and maybe he was just a bit lethargic. I'd say they were two alright ones though.”

A.J. Slattery, rider of Silver Service trained by Michael Mulvany, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount fly leapt out of the gates.

(GC & EM)