Zeftan just loves a mile and a half around the Curragh and emphasised that fact when kicking clear to win the Hackett Apprentice Derby.

This was the third time he won over this trip having landed the Ladies Derby in July 2016 and June 2014.

In this assignment he made good headway on the outer racing into the final quarter of a mile. He hit the front for Danny Sheehy a furlong and a half down and was in control entering the final furlong.

He kept on strongly to prevail by a length and a half from a staying-on Slaney Street (16/1).

The winner went off the 5/1 joint favourite and landed a gamble from 12/1 in the morning. Theophilus (25/1) came in third for Desmond McDonogh. Both the runner-up and the third carried Jackie Bolgers' colours.

Danny Sheehy said: "It's great, I rode him here a few weeks ago when he was fourth and he ran well. He was off since August. We were happy with the way he came into the race.

"We would have actually liked to have seen a bit more rain but I got a lovely position and once the gap came and I asked him he went on very well, in fairness to him."

Trainer Adrian Keatley added: “He likes this place. He had a niggly injury at the backend of last season and it was probably a blessing as he likes to be fresh. He’s spot on once he gets a run under his belt.

"He could come back here on Oaks weekend for the Ladies Derby. He travelled like a dream and did the same here last year as well.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee