Cascade cruises home in bumper

Ally Cascade proved a fitting winner of the Fairyhouse Sponsors Nina Carberry Flat Race as the top lady amateur was aboard the evens favourite who justified his billing in impressive fashion.

Absent since a promising third at Tipperary when trained by Tommy Carberry back in the spring, Nina oozed confidence on the son of Golan cruising to the front just before the furlong pole.

He stretched right away with the minimum of fuss to beat Notorious Villain (16/1) by six lengths, with Captain Lob (9/2) another four and a half lengths back in third.

This completed a double on the afternoon both for trainer Noel Meade and Gigginstown House Stud, who were on the mark earlier with Benevolent in the two-mile maiden hurdle.

Meade said, “Nina bought him as a three-year-old. She brought him down to work at ours before his first run, and I didn’t think he was fit enough. So when he finished third we were keen to buy him.

“Michael O’Leary was joking beforehand that if he didn’t win he wanted a refund. I texted him to say there was no refund needed now.

“He quickened up well and is a nice horse. He wouldn’t impress you on the all-weather (gallop) and he’s much better on grass. He has a bit of toe and speed and there’s plenty of him. He’ll go jumping straight away.”

(Additional reporting by Gary Carson)