Fairytale for Cummins as apprentice rides first Irish winner on 50-1 outsider
Stephen Cummins rode his first winner on home soil, and a surprise to boot, as The Alpha Man triumphed at 50-1 in the mile handicap.
The Tipperary native, who is on Ballydoyle's roster of work-riders, rode seven winners for Richard Hughes in Britain but had yet to celebrate an Irish winner until The Alpha Man stormed home to score by a nose from Tipperary Moon.
Less than a length separated the first four home in what was the most thrilling finish of the afternoon, but Cummins was not to be denied on the five-year-old, who had finished tenth of 12 and 14th of 16 on his previous two outings for Seamus O'Donnell.
Cape comes good at 22-1
Henry de Bromhead hailed the persistence and patience of those involved with the Pillar2Post Partnership after Cape Islay landed the 1m3½f handicap at odds of 22-1.
The trainer said: "The owners have been very patient and I'm delighted she has won for them. It was a very good performance from the mare and I liked the way she hit the line."
Cape Islay was the first leg of a 102-1 double for Wayne Lordan, who also won the concluding mile maiden on Exuma for Aidan O'Brien.
Quick approach pays off
Noel Meade's decision to bring Female Approach to Limerick for the 1m3½f handicap for three-year-olds just 20 hours after she won at Fairyhouse on Friday evening paid handsome dividends as she came home strongly to land the spoils under Colin Keane.
The 6lb penalty proved no barrier to success for the evens favourite who was two and three-quarter lengths in front of Sea Appeal at the line.
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Published on 12 June 2021inReports
Last updated 19:36, 12 June 2021
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