Vidala swoops from last to first

Vidala (20/1) came from fully last approaching the straight for a last-gasp success in the first division of the 1m1f handicap in Leopardstown.

The fast early pace took its toll on the leaders which allowed the closers to get a sniff of victory inside the final furlong.

Vidala had made good headway by the furlong pole and came home strongly down the outer for Robbie Colgan to force a photograph with Tara Power and Rampage

She got the decision by a head from Tara Power (10/1). Rampage was just a nose away in third also at 10/1. Numidia could be called an unlucky loser as he had nowhere to go in behind the aforementioned trio in the closing stages and finished fourth on the bridle.

Trainer Sheila Lavery said: “That is hilarious! We really liked her as a two-year-old, but she couldn't finish off and really liked her as a three-year-old but again she couldn't finish off.

“We got her back X-rayed and got an on-board scope but couldn't find anything wrong with her. They thought she maybe had a form of asthma.

“I put her in the field and tried to sell her as a riding horse, but then I had somebody come in who wanted to ride and she's so quiet.

“I brought her back into work and then she started to train really well and hey presto!

“She just needed time. I got the syndicate into another horse because I told them we were retiring her, now they've got two horses in training — how cool is that! They also have an unraced two-year-old.

“Being by Lawman, I wasn't sure whether she'd like the ground. I said to the owners today was like a magical mystery tour, we were just going to run her.

“I told Robbie to enjoy it and she flew home. They've been a very lucky syndicate because they had Lil Grey and Mr Ormsby. We thought their luck had run out, but now it's back in!”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson