Top of the tree in the apprentice ranks Gavin Ryan showed just why again when getting Highly Approved home in a blanket finish to the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Claiming Race.

Ado McGuinness’ 13/2 victor touched off Boitron and Royal Highness by a head and a nose, and there was just a further head back to favourite Earls in fourth.

“She’s in the sales tomorrow at Goffs so she has two chances of being sold,” said McGuinness.

“She has been a real fun filly and has won twice this year for us. She’ll be very competitive in those type of races and also in handicaps.

“The people who own her just want to move her on. Dermot Forde from Virginia in Cavan and his son Sean own her along with Jarlath Brennan who is based in New Zealand.

“She won here over six for Joseph (O’Brien) and I felt if you could get a handy sit on her she’d be able to grind it out well and that’s exactly what she’s done. He gave her a great ride.

“She’s run over six, seven and a mile and won over all three.”

Earls was claimed for 13,000 by Garvan Donnelly and Boitron was a friendly claim for 5,000.

At the request of the Stewards, James J. Doyle, rider of Boitron (FR), trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount lugged left.

(AM & EM)