Cork on a winner with students
Some 1,000 of them were on sight, helping to produce as good an atmosphere as we have had at Cork for a long time.
A price of just €8 covered the students’ bus, admission and race card and, with the general public gaining admittance for the same amount as well, this was a winner.
It is the type of initiative which is badly needed in the game right now and, hopefully, the feelgood factor generated will have a knock-on effect for the track throughout the year.
Ruby Walsh was due to ride Up Ou That for Willie Mullins, in the explicit.ie Maiden Hurdle, but when that horse came out he was allowed to replace Davy Condon aboard the Tony Martin-trained Bog Warrior.
Martin’s charge was available as high as 5-1 in the morning, but sustained support through the day saw him go off the 9-4 favourite.
Walsh dropped the seven-year-old right out at the back and it was well into the final mile before he asked him to edge closer to the leaders.
Early in the straight, however, Bog Warrior came there cantering all over his rivals and only had to be pushed clear coming away from the second last to easily beat Eyre Apparent.
Commented Martin: “He’s a good horse and just has to learn to settle, he ran free with Davy (Russell) at Navan.
“I don’t know if he’ll run again this season, that ground is as fast as he would want it. He should make a grand chaser next season.”
Baily Green, done for his wind after disappointing at Leopardstown at Christmas, showed the benefit of that operation with a smooth success in the www.corkracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle.
He caught the eye on his return to action at Navan and made no mistake here with an emphatic display.
Partnered with confidence by Andrew McNamara, the winner went down the inside for the most part.
Produced to lead over the second last, he eased clear to beat Marlos Moment by nine lengths, indicating there may be even better to come.
Trainer Mouse Morris said: “He will now go for a winners’ of one and will make a nice chaser.”
Bobby John and Brian O’Connell arrived late on the scene to swamp favourite, Molko Jack, in the Cit Su Handicap Hurdle.
The winner was returned at 20-1, but paid over 99-1 on the tote.
Trainer Francis Flood was represented by his son, Fran, who said: “How could you fancy him after the way he ran at Thurles the last day? “Mind you the ground was very cut up that day and we always felt he might be better on better ground.
“But we didn’t think he was anything special before today and let’s hope that he is not a one-hit wonder!’
Dessie Hughes, who has enjoyed a terrific season, was on the mark again when Raz de Maree landed the featured Boole Handicap Hurdle.
Given an excellent drive by Bryan Cooper, the winner got in tight to the last, but then picked up in fine style to grab the flattering Let Yourself Go.
Said Hughes: “He’s an out-and-out stayer and will now go for a three mile novice handicap at Fairyhouse.’ Tim Doyle’s Mr Eko shot away between the last two flights to take the Fegentri World Championship Handicap Hurdle by 11 lengths.
“I was happy with the horse and happy with the jockey’, quipped Doyle. The pilot in question was Christopher Roberts, who is Swedish and 19 years old.
Appropriately, given the day that was in it, he is a science student in Stockholm. This was his first ride in Ireland and he has 11 winners to his credit in his native country, to go with two in Norway.
Bookmakers enjoyed a screamer in the Bumper with victory going to Martin Lynch’s 40-1 shot, Maple Lady. She paid 111-1 on the tote.
The daughter of Saddler’s Hall was ridden by Lynch’s 20-year-old son, Mark, currently working for Liam Burke, who was riding his first winner.
