Mutakarrim outclasses his rivals
He didn’t travel particularly well for much of the journey, but came swinging on the bridle approaching the home turn.
Barry Geraghty eased him ahead over the third last and Mutakarrim was soon in total control, crossing the line an unflattering four lengths to the good over Fiddlers Bar.
Weld completed a quick double when Wimbledon easily landed the Kanturk Maiden Hurdle.
There were two non-runners, leaving just four participants, and Wimbledon went off joint even-money favourite with Quest For A Star.
But Quest For A Star jumped poorly and was beaten early in the straight. In the meantime, David Evans sent Wimbledon past the front-running Send Him On coming away from the third last and it was bar a fall from that point.
Tigim, trained by Peter Henley on the Curragh and who had been competing over longer distances, successfully dropped down to the minimum trip in the Charleville Handicap.
He was strongly handled by Pat Cosgrave to get the best of a tough tussle with Indian Desert from the furlong pole.
"The way he works at home I thought five would suit him”, reported Henley. "He shows a lot of pace, there are no plans, today was the day.”
Cosgrave landed a 30.5-1 double on Ger Lyons’ In Theory in the Glantane Handicap.
He was again seen to advantage, powering his charge ahead with less than two furlongs to travel to beat the always prominent Quest For Peace.
Elizabeth Sheehan (20) from Mallow and attached to the Con Collins yard, rode her first winner aboard Bid Me Quick in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Auction Race.
Bid Me Quick ran fast throughout, holding the call entering the final furlong. Mrs St George soon threw down a determined challenge, but Ms Sheehan kept her charge going in fine style to score by a neck.
Michael O’Brien’s Bridgewater Inn stayed on stoutly to take the Bumper in the hands of Denis Cullen.
The winner forged past long time leader El Corredor early in the straight, but was all out in the closing stages as El Corredor rallied and Blink Of An Eye made up a fair amount of late ground.
Said Cullen: "He has schooled and jumps well. I haven’t spoken to the boss, but he might go for a maiden hurdle next.”
Joe Crowley continued his good run when Take A Drop, under a typically powerful Ruby Walsh drive, won the Fermoy Handicap Hurdle.
Walsh drove the winner between the flattering pair, Admiral Nelson and Minella Captain, going to the final flight and Take A Drop did the rest.
The eight-year-old, who revels in fast ground, could reappear at Tramore on Friday.
