Nakasero and Ronan Whelan © Photo Healy Racing
For the third race in succession, those following the money formed an orderly queue, as the well backed favourite Nakasero ran out a comfortable winner of the O'Sullivan's Cascade Handicap at Killarney.
Available at 4/1 in early exchanges, the Michael Halford and Tracey Collins trained gelding was backed down to half those odds under stable jockey Ronan Whelan.
The market leaders task was greatly reduced seconds after the stalls opened, as the second choice Galician Girl 3/1) dislodged Adam Caffrey after her saddle slipped.
Leading after a furlong, Whelan set the fractions on Nakasero, winding up from early in the straight before staying on strongly for an easy two-and-three-quarter lengths win.
Michael Halford said: "He got unbalanced crossing the road at Bellewstown the last day but is learning with each run and I felt on his homework, that he had stepped up. He has probably learned more and that left-handed, level track is ideal for him.
"I'm delighted for Mark Phelan who is a good owner of ours and has been patient with this lad. It is great to give him his first winner in Killarney and he was here to see it."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
