Gavin Ryan earned praise from Jim Bolger after guiding Dawn Hoofer home in the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh.

The three-year old filly was backed down from 13/2 to 9/2 and readily saw out the mile and a half trip to score by half a length from 3/1 favourite Azzuri who kept on well.

There was a gap of three and three quarter lengths back to Moktamel in third at 7/1.

Jim Bolger said: “He's a good rider. He'll probably be back here some day on Derby Day in the number one spot although we might have to wait a few years."

“We'll keep this filly doing the same thing and hopefully she can get another one. She could probably go a bit further.”

Gavin Ryan said: "She was very game there for me. Going by her form, when things go her way she seems to do it well. She stuck her nose out and stayed going for me. She's a nice filly and she saw out the trip well.

"I couldn't ask for much more out of her. She usually goes from the front but she has had a lot of runs and there was no harm to get a lead just to keep her sweet about the whole thing. As soon as I asked her for more she found an extra gear and went on for me.

"That's eight winners and my fourth one for the boss (Jim Bolger). I'm very grateful for all the rides he gives me, he gives me good rides. I'm doing my leaving cert next year. I'm in school fives days a weekand then down to Mr Bolger's for the weekend. I'm down full-time for the summer holidays."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson