Brewel Hill responded to Scott McCullagh's urgings to score in the concluding apprentice handicap over a mile in the Curragh. Everylittlestep put up a bold bid for her four-timer as she tried to make the best way home with a narrow lead inside the final furlong. Akmaam and Brewel Hill really put her under pressure with 150 yards to go, though, and it was Brewel Hill who took over in the closing stages.

He forged on to win by half a length at 18/1 from the 6/4 favourite Everylittlestep. The runner-up was a head in front of a staying-on Rampage (7/1) as Akmaam dropped to fourth at 7/1.

Trainer Peter McCreery said: “He likes that ground and a fast pace. Scott said a mile going quick is good for him.

“These handicaps are so competitive and anything can win them.

“We’ll keep him at it as he only likes that good ground and find something similar. The ground has been drying out all day with that wind.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee