Wayne Hassett gains vital winner in apprentice title race as Pachmena comes fast and late

Pachmena gave Wayne Hassett a vital winner in his quest to become champion apprentice when the pair came with a strong run inside the final furlong to land the 1m6f handicap.

Trained by Gavin Cromwell, who also saddled the third, fourth and fifth, the seven-year-old was returning to the Flat for the first time since the Galway festival, having run over hurdles on her last two starts.

Hassett held up the 12-1 shot before switching her out at the two-furlong marker, unleashing a potent turn of foot to run down her stablemate Moutarde, with Imarajan running on for second.

The success puts Hassett on the 28-winner mark in the apprentice title battle, one behind leader Adam Caffrey and one ahead of James Ryan.

Cromwell told Racing TV: "She's won here before and is effective here. Wayne was very good on her – he took his time and gave her a chance. I thought Robbie [Whearty, rider of Moutarde] was going to hold on but he probably got there too soon."

O'Brien double

Joseph O'Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle combined for a double, claiming the opening mile maiden with 5-6 shot Cap Saint Martin before Bard Of Avon justified favouritism in the 1m4f maiden, getting off the mark at the fourth attempt at odds of 6-5.

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