DARIUS Dark brought up a hat-trick when winning the Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby Handicap. Sent off 3/1 favourite under Rory Mulligan, the Johnny Murtagh-trained gelding led two furlongs out, keeping on dourly to win by a neck for owners Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd.

“He is a lovely horse at home. I won on him before and he did that nicely today,” said Mulligan. “I just sat off the front two for the first half of the race. I just felt that they were going half a stride too quick, but I travelled down behind them just before the turn in.