Curtis keeps it tight at the top

Not to be outdone, Ben Curtis also got among the winners at Dundalk tonight when landing the nursery on Crystal Belle moving him back level with Gary Carroll in the apprentice title race

The Pat Martin-trained filly tracked leader Final Recovery throughout before hitting the front a furlong-and-a-half from home.

She stayed on strongly in the closing stages to hold that rival by a length. The winner is out of Crystal Springs, an 11-time winner for the yard.

"I knew he would win after the other two getting winners," joked Martin afterwards.

"She ran a lovely race at Roscommon on her debut but then got a fright at Wexford and totally lost her confidence.

"When we brought her here last time she didn't travel and I thought today we'd give her a bit of daylight and pop her out handy.

"Her mother was a great servant for me and her yearling half-brother goes to the sales at Newmarket next Tuesday. If she's half as good as the mother I'll be happy.

"She was a bit green as she's never been in front before. There is one more race for her here this year and we'll see how she comes out of this."