McCormack back on top in his native land

Derek McCormack has endured more than his fair share of low-points in life, but the Athlone man, now in his mid-twenties, had a night to remember at Dundalk when bringing home Waterloo Sunrise to cause a 25/1 surprise in division one of the Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Handicap.

By Craigsteel, the victorious eight-year-old (eye-shields on for the first-time) might have been expected to shed his maiden tag in the jumping sphere.

However Shane Duffy's charge had shown in the past that he had the required ability to win a race of this nature and he struck for home from the quarter mile pole. He eventually held off Buccaneer Bob by half a length.

McCormack explained: "That's my first winner in Ireland since She's Supersonic in May 2006. I was in France for two and a half years (rode plenty of winners for Guillaume Macaire) and I'm going to be with John Murphy for the flat season this year. I'm also riding out for Jim Gorman and Ken Condon." (AM & EM)