Rebel Fitz took advantage of the fall of Ballycasey to take the Powers Gold Cup
Last Updated: 20/04/14 7:54pm
Rebel Fitz profited from the fall of leader Ballycasey at the second-last fence to take the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse from Bright New Dawn.
The 2/1 chance was just being asked by Barry Geraghty for maximum effort approaching the obstacle when Ballycasey, two lengths up and travelling much the easier of the pair, failed to take off properly and crashed into the fence, throwing Paul Townend to the ground.
That left Rebel Fitz to coast home by 15 lengths from the sole other finisher Bright New Dawn, Balleycasey's stablemate Mozoltov having also exited the contest before halfway.
Successful trainer Michael Winters praised the winner, who was taking his career earnings to over £350,000, Winters said: "He came off the bridle like he did at Mallow (Cork) the last time and he had to stretch at a few fences down the back.
"My horses have not been flying for the last six months and I'd say there's more to come from him.
"We'll give him a couple of weeks off now. We may go for the Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary and the Galway Plate could be a possibility."
Ballycasey and jockey Paul Townend were both reported to be none the worse for their fall afterwards.