Nibiru gained a seventh career win as the dual-purpose gelding just came out on top in a blanket finish to the opening Irishinjuredjockeys.com Apprentice Claiming Race at Dundalk.

Many of the 12-runner field were still in contention a furlong out and James Ryan’s mount, backed from 13/2 into 100/30, finished best to get up on the line for a short head verdict over Acotango Timourid was a neck further back in third with Firstman and Autocrat close up in fourth and fifth respectively.

Ryan said, "A good run in the Curragh the last day. I was just hopeful they would go quick enough for us.

"We didn't go mad and we just went even the whole way. It worked out well. I was able to bide my time to get there.

"In fairness, I knew he would be good at the death and the last 150 yards was his best piece of work."

Ryan is just one behind Adam Caffrey (29 wins) in a three-way battle for the apprentice championship, with Wayne Hassett very much in the mix also on the 28-winner mark.

Autocrat was later claimed for €9,000 to be trained by Dick Donohoe.

Quotes by Michael Graham