Luisant brings joy to favourite backers

Luisant became Leopardstown's first winning favourite of the day when taking the listed Knockaire stakes over seven furlongs for trainer James Nash and jockey Fran Berry at 4/1.

Nash expressed his delight at his gelding's performance. He said: "He may not be the best horse in training but he is surely the most consistent.

"I'm delighted for Fran. He has given him great rides during the campaign that he didn't get the rewards for. I told him today to ride him as if it was six furlongs as I was fairly sure he would stay seven. He is a fantastic horse to train."

Luisant scored by two-and-a-half lengths from the fast-finishing Stunning View Crystal Gal was back in third. Song Of My Heart was the money horse in the race, backed at all rates from 9/1 to 6/1 but finished seventh.