Paul Flynn's outsider takes the lucky last

A 16-race maiden coming into the concluding six-furlong handicap at Fairyhouse, Caffu Zafeen came good at odds of 22/1 under Shay Wallace.

Wallace's 7lb claim meant the Exceed And Excel gelding had just 8 stone on his back and he came from mid-division to lead a furlong out.

Nouvel Espoir , ridden by Wallace on his previous start and partnered by Colin Keane here, tried to cover the winner's move but couldn't peg him back with a length and three-quarters between them at the line.

“He's been kind of disappointing to be honest,” said winning trainer Paul Flynn of Declan Sheridan's five-year-old.

“We were down in the bottom barrel this evening, and he had a light weight with the jockey claiming off him.

“It just went well and it was very good, he said that he enjoyed the ground.

“Maybe turning helped him, as his wind wouldn't be great. He had an operation as a young horse.

“I went to do his wind, but realised he had an operation before, so we couldn't do it.

“I think turning might have assisted him, kept him interested a bit longer. We were in a straight line all year.

“He ran quite well at Navan last time and he was probably over-priced at 22/1. All the lads had a few quid on him. I wouldn't have backed him!”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson