Apache Drums and Fran Berry score© Photo Healy Racing
Apache Drums opened his account on the level when claiming the Goresbridge Handicap at Gowran Park.
The 9/2 favourite fought it out with Regal Tramp from over a furlong out in the mile-and-a-half contest.
Despite carrying his head high he stuck his neck out in the closing stages, for Fran Berry, to secure a two-and-a-quarter length success.
The winner has failed to shine over jumps during the winter and trainer Charles O'Brien said afterwards:-
"I don't know how it took me so long to win a Flat race with him!
"He ran a couple of good races in defeat last year. The rain and the cheekpieces helped today.
"He'll mix it on the Flat and over hurdles during the summer. He just doesn't do real bad winter ground.
"I entered him this morning for Tipperary next Thursday and I'll see how he comes out of this."
There was one lucky winner of the Jackpot with the pool reaching €28,066.
The one winning unit was on the SP favourite in the sixth race and the punter scooped €21,049.50.
(GC & AM)
