Jaafel finally gained reward for a number of consistent efforts when opening his account at the 18th attempt in division one of the William Hill Pick Your Places Apprentice Handicap at Dundalk.

The Denis Hogan-trained gelding squeezed through a gap over a furlong out and kept on well for Daniel King getting up close home in a blanket finish.

The 7/2 winner edged out Leclerc by a neck with Ellabella a head away in third and Malaysian close up in fourth.

King said, "It's great (to get him off the mark) and I suppose he had deserved that. He had run well up here the last day and finished second and just bumped into one.

"He was good and tough there for me today, so it is nice to get his head in front.

"He hit the line well there and I had a nice bit (of pace) to aim at in the straight and he likes that, he likes passing a few horses and coming through nice, tight gaps. He was good and tough for me the whole way.

"I've one ride in Haydock (Run For Oscar, tomorrow) for Charles Byrnes, so hopefully he will run well."

Quotes by Michael Graham