Rayounpour and Adam Farragher after winning the Cork Derby © Photo Healy Racing
The sole reserve Rayounpour (16/1) got into the valuable Cork Derby and took full advantage as he raced to a length and three quarter victory from stablemate War Diary (4/1 jt fav).
Things certainly worked out fortuitously on the day for young claiming rider Adam Farragher.
His intended mount at Fairyhouse (Above Us Only Sky in the final race) was taken out this morning and he was handed the ride at Cork on the lightly-raced Aga Khan-bred gelding by his boss Michael Halford.
Placed in three of his five starts in maidens, including last month at Limerick, Rayounpour capitalised on a light weight on his back to win well.
Farragher was unscathed when unseated after the line, and afterwards remarked: “That’s my first big handicap winner and it’s great to get it, especially for the boss-it’s my first winner for him too.
"He did it well and pricked his ears. That was his first run in a handicap and hopefully he can improve for it.
"He didn’t know he had a race. I gave him a pat down the neck and he whipped around down the back!”
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
