Wayne Lordan masterclass as Waterville gains last-gasp Irish Cesarewitch win

Waterville: dramatic winner of the Irish Cesarewitch

Patrick McCann

Sunday: Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch

Wayne Lordan timed his challenge to perfection as Waterville surged from last to first to nab Echoes In Rain in the shadow of the post and win the €600,000 Irish Cesarewitch.

The 5-1 favourite was held up and had just a handful of the 30-runner field behind him turning into the straight, but Lordan did not panic. Passing the two-furlong pole he still had plenty to do, but the gaps came in time and the three-year-old just got there in a rousing finish.

It was heartache for Echoes In Rain, the mount of Rachael Blackmore who hit 1.11 in-running on the Betfair Exchange, with Lot Of Joy not far behind in third. Ruling was fourth.

Lordan said: “When I passed the line in front, I got the thrill then. Aidan filled me with confident, he said he’s a good horse, take your time, don’t rush him. He said halfway he’ll come on the bridle and he said take your chances down the inside.

“He did come on the bridle, I took my chances and then I decided I had to come out but I hit the line good.

“I was coming fast, I was hoping I wasn’t going to get stopped but when you’re coming home like that you can take gaps that are maybe just coming and you’ll get there. It all worked out.”

The son of Camelot was cut into 5-1 (from 14) by Paddy Power for the Cesarewitch at Newmarket on October 8. The same bookmaker went 12-1 (from 50) for the Long Distance Cup on British Champions Day at Ascot a week later.

Waterville, who had won once in five starts prior to the Irish Cesarewitch, had been talked up by trainer Aidan O’Brien before he had even set foot on the track in public.

Speaking in March, he said: “We have a horse there called Waterville who has never run before. He could be a good bit better than a maiden and may even be a Derby horse.”

He did not make Epsom, but he did earn €324,000 for winning this 2m½f handicap.

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FIRST PUBLISHED 4:44PM, SEP 25 2022