Layfayette, near side, nails Wilderness© Photo Healy Racing
Layfayette flashed home down the outside to cut down Wilderness in the 10-furlong handicap at Naas.
Wilderness was tough in front as Layfayette had plenty to do in 12th at the three pole in this big field.
The leader was ridden and strongly pressed a furlong and a half down, but kept finding and refused to yield inside the final furlong.
At this stage Layfayette had worked his way into eighth, but he stormed home in the final 100 yards to collar Wilderness in the shadow of the post on this his first crack at a mile and two furlongs.
The 5/1 shot got up by a neck under Chris Hayes to deprive the 8/1 runner-up. Tudor City (10/1) and Lord Park (6/1) boxed on for third and fourth respectively.
Noel Meade said: “I didn’t think he was going to win at any stage. I don’t know whether that was the ground or whether he’s gone lazy, but I suppose when he races like that it helps him to see out the trip.
“He’d been coming home every time and that’s the first time we pushed him out to that trip. I’d say he will run on Irish Champions Weekend if he gets in.
“He’s been a little bit unlucky but has been running well and it’s nice for him to win.
“We have been hitting the crossbar something terrible lately and you get disillusioned when you keep getting beat. Helvic Dream (beaten two noses at Killarney) looked like a winner everywhere, but just got caught in the last couple of strides.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
