Carberry back with a winner

Paul Carberry successfully returned to action on his first ride after nearly seven months on the sidelines when Ally Cascade justified prohibitive odds in the opening winners’ hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The former dual Irish champion has been absent since the end of April due to a troublesome left shoulder which eventually required surgery in July.

The Noel Meade-trained Ally Cascade had his task greatly eased after fellow Gigginstown-owned Devils Bride was taken out due to the slight change in going (soft, yielding to soft in places), and was sent off the 1/4 favourite against just three rivals.

Carberry (39) sent the hot-pot past the front-running Flycorn entering the straight, although the son of Golan needed a few reminders to assert from King William between the final two hurdles.

The five-year-old gelding was about four lengths clear when King William blundered and unseated Rob Jones at the final flight, leaving Carberry’s mount to come home eased down by 17 lengths from Flycorn.

Carberry said, “It’s great to be back and a winner helps. Nina sold the horse to the boys (Gigginstown House Stud) so it’s great for her that he’s won as well.

“It’s been a long wait and slow to stretch the shoulder but the last two weeks it’s improved a good bit. Hopefully it keeps going and it felt grand today.”

Meade was also delighted to have Carberry back in action saying, “He’s been working hard. A couple of months ago we were worried it might not come but the last fortnight it’s been getting better and better. He caught me a bit by surprise as I thought we were looking at Sunday but I knew he was close as he was riding a lot of schooling.

“I have to talk to the owners but there is a possibility this horse might switch to fences, although I haven’t schooled him yet. He has to be trained on grass all the time as he doesn’t like the all-weather and he’s been held up because the ground is so quick. He’s burly and about 15 to 20 kilos heavy at the minute.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson