Andrew Slattery moved back one in front of Oisin Orr (37 v 36) in the apprentice title race, when doubling Johnny Murtagh and Fitzwilliam Racing’s Curragh score, on Borelli in the Mongey Communications Nursery Handicap.

Shane Foley won for the same connections earlier on Champers Elysees

Whilst that was a battling success in the auction race, Borelli (8s into 7s) comprehensively put his rivals to the sword.

With a visor swapped for blinkers, Borelli hammered Simply True and Cobb And Co by four and a half lengths and half a length.

“I thought coming here today that we had a lot of horses with good chances. Andy rode this lad last time and said he was staying on nicely. We knew he’d get the mile well and that he’d like the cut in the ground," said Murtagh.

“He’s a horse that we thought a bit about and he’s lost his way a little bit. He’s probably a bit mentally immature and blinkers on today helped him concentrate. When he hit the front he was only getting going.

“For a horse by Alhebayeb he stays well.”

(AM & EM)