Champion apprentice wins on Weld's Thaleeq

Dylan Browne McMonagle received his trophy for being champion apprentice at Naas yesterday and, after two seconds in the opening couple of races, was back in the winners’ enclosure after 5/4 favourite Thaleeq landed the Pride Of Place Maiden.

Owned and trained by Dermot Weld, the Muhaarar gelding tracked the leaders and the winning ride switched him to the inner three furlongs out.

Browne McMonagle bided his time until asking for more just over a furlong out and his mount quickly went away to beat Rachael Blackmore’s mount Approbare (placed in this maiden for the fourth time) by a length and three quarters.

The winning rider, who has just three winners left with his 3lb claim, said: “He did it really well. There was plenty of pace early on, I got him travelling and just crept away.

“I was the winner a long way out and it was just a matter of pressing the button. He picked up really well and hit the line strong.”

Quotes from Gary Carson