Kane gets tune out of Trueba

Trueba with Nikita Kane in the saddle, was a good winner of the Curragh's apprentice handicap over an extended six furlongs.

The four-year-old gelding made relentless headway to hit the front two furlongs out.

He was there to be shot at by plenty of horses at the business end of the race, but to his credit he kept gun-barrel straight and didn't allow the closers a sniff of victory.

He delivered by two lengths at 15/2 from 11/1 shot Lincoln Noirvento was half a length back in third at 10/1 while each-way backers picked up a dividend with fourth-placed Caesar's Comet (12/1).

In-form Johnny Murtagh said: “That's great for Nikita. I thought it was an ideal race as he probably didn't get home over a mile the last day.

“A stiff six or an easy seven if probably ideal. We have him there for Nikita now as he doesn't seem to go for any of the rest of the lads.

“She rides him out most days and told me he was flying. He had a good draw and it just worked well.

“He's always been a horse that worked well, he's rated 66 now and he'll be there for her until the end of the year. Hopefully she can get another winner on him.

“She works very hard and wants to be a jockey. It's tough for the girls here, but she's doing a good job with the opportunities she's getting, she probably doesn't get enough.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson