Burren Song made the breakthrough at the sixth time of asking in the apprentice handicap at Cork.

The 7/2 favourite dropped back to an extended mile and a quarter and showed his relish for the trip.

He was never far from the pace and was shaken up by Cian Horgan (riding his third winner) to hit the front passing the two pole. He was soon challenged by Morning Approach and the pair were nicely clear at the furlong marker.

Burren Song held a narrow advantage and increased it in the closing stages as he won by three parts of a length. Morning Approach had to settle for second at 9/1 and finished a length up on eye-catching Tooreen Angel (11/1).

Trainer Andrew Slattery said: "We were worried that the ground tightened a bit but he handled it well. He is progressing in handicaps and will be better over 1m4f or 1m6f. He stays well.

"Hopefully he could end up being a Galway amateur handicap type of horse and it is great for his owner/breeder Pat McNamara."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes