Trainer Ray Hackett enjoyed a timely piece of good luck at Cork today as his The Ballyboys was left in front at the final flight when scoring a fortunate success in the www.corkracecourse.ie Handicap Hurdle.

Clear leader Naturally Blond had made all the running approaching the final flight but met that last obstacle on a long stride, blundered on landing and unshipped his jockey Pierce Gallagher. Naturally Blond's exit left the way clear for The Ballyboys to score a three and three parts of a length success over Epsilon Indi

Hackett later commented “maybe we were a bit lucky with the other (Naturally Blond) falling but being honest, it has been a tough week at home as we lost Wee Tiger.

“It has been a tough week to be honest but it was nice to round it off like that.

“We're looking at having six or seven horses for the winter and this horse will run through the winter and will handle heavy ground, so we're lucky that way.

“Crackerdancer has been retired through injury and I don't think she has been covered yet. We'd love to have the likes of her again.”