Ireland stars on target at Warwick

A partnership between Republic of Ireland international footballers John O’Shea and Stephen Hunt bore fruit in the Willerby Holiday Homes Maiden Hurdle at Warwick yesterday.

Sunderland defender O’Shea and combative Wolves midfielder Hunt own Leath Acra Mor (15-2) with Ian Williams, but their horse had not proved much to shout about in his first few outings.

Stepped up in trip and kept close to the pace by Harry Skelton, he got the best of a final struggle with Orangeaday to win by a length and a quarter.