There was a sense of deja vu to Lord Rapscallion s win at Dundalk today as the Johnny Murtagh trained gelding landed the Crowne Plaza Apprentice Rated Race under jockey Ben Coen.

Murtagh's apprentice jockey Shane Kelly picked up a two days careless-riding suspension for his winning ride on Lord Rapscallion at today's venue on November 22 and was today replaced by Coen.

Today's race however was similarly valued at E12,000 to last month's race, was run over the same mile and produced the same '1-2'.

Lord Rapscallion beat runner-up Calling Time by 3.25L on November 22 and the pair produced the same Exacta result today, with 2.25L separating the pair.

Following the race trainer Murtagh said “he came out of the last race really well but I thought it was going to be a bit of a tougher ask today meeting Jessie’s (Harrington) horse (Calling Time) on different terms.

“We have done okay with these Alhebayebs but they are taking time. He has plenty of ability and has clicked into gear now. He likes the surface and the eye shields have definitely helped him.

“He deserves a bit of a break now and we might take a chance on a bigger one later in the season. I think a mile suits him.”

Quotes from Alan Magee