Fortune favours Noble Vision

Noble Vision was the fortuitous winner of the opener in Cork as she took advantage of Little Stevie s fall at the last.

Little Stevie and Katie O'Farrell picked up the lead after four out in this two mile maiden hurdle and were tracked by Noble Vision and Phillip Enright.

The two protagonists pulled clear and had the race at their mercy. However, Noble Vision was less than fluent at the third last and could make no impression on Little Stevie who had readily seen her off at the second last.

He reached for the last though, and crashed out of contention to leave the spoils for a tired Noble Vision who duly came home 33 lengths in front of Finding Touch (10/1). Guitar George was popular at the track from 5/1 to 10/3 and completed the placings in third, a length and a half adrift of the runner-up.

The winner was returned the 13/8 favourite, backed down from 3/1 in the morning.

Regarding his fortunate win, successful trainer John Joe Walsh quipped: "I was just saying 'he'll (Little Stevie) never fall anyway because he's one of Enda's (Bolger) and he'll be very well schooled!'"

He added: "The ground is woeful and she was gone turning in. We might go back on the flat now as she's bred for that."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes