Hazel Bay makes the breakthrough

Oisin Orr closed to within one winner of Andrew Slattery in the race for the apprentice jockeys' crown after success on board Hazel Bay at Dundalk.

Dermot Weld 's charge moved sweetly into contention with a quarter of a mile to travel in this maiden and soon led.

The 7/2 chance was given the office by Orr as they raced towards the final furlong and kept up the gallop over this extended 10 furlongs to prevail by three parts of a length on her seventh start.

Joseph Murphy 's Liquid Luck showed plenty on debut in second at 33/1 and he was a neck ahead of Globe Theatre at 9/2.

“It's nice to get her head in front and in fairness to her tonight she toughed it out well,” said Oisin Orr.

“Two furlongs down I was sitting with a lot of horse and nothing to lead me. I wanted a lead for a bit further but when I did ask her she went on about her business and did it well.

“Hopefully she can step forward from that now, usually they do when they get their head in front.

“She's had a few nice runs under her belt and hopefully can step forward.”

Slattery now leads Orr 42-41.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson