Ballydoyle rider bags first Irish winner

Ballydoyle work rider Stephen Cummins registered a first Irish winner today at Limerick, steering owner/trainer Seamus O'Donnell's 50/1 outsider The Alpha Man to win the Limerick Racecourse Handicap.

O'Donnell's silks are the Tipperary colours and having beaten Des Donovan's Bansha-trained Tipperary Moon by a nose, later reported “Stephen is a Tipperary man, rides out in Ballydoyle and had (seven) winners for Richard Hughes in England.

“He came back from England and rides a bit of work for me, knows the horse well so I let him ride him away.

“The horse showed promise but for some reason or another is back on an even curve. He works like a nice horse and everyone who rode him liked him so hopefully he can progress.

“The good ground and dropping to a mile was ideal.”