Ben bags Cork cash

Our Ben finally landed a long-awaited Graded success over fences as he lifted the O’Connell Logistics Hilly Way Chase at Cork.

Willie Mullins’ eight-year-old had been highly tried since finishing third in the 2005 Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle, but had yet to live up to those expectations.

However, following a confidence-boosting win over three miles at Thurles last time, Our Ben (9-2) put in a sparkling round of jumping in the Grade Two feature.

Dropping back in trip to two miles, Our Ben had his task made a little easier when 7-2 favourite Gemini Lucy departed at the first, leaving Central House to set the early pace.

David Casey was happy to settle in behind before making his move around half a mile out, hitting the front and going for home.

Hi Cloy appeared to be travelling just as well for amateur Derek O’Connor but despite his best efforts, he could not get on terms and went down by three and a half lengths at the line.

Foreman showed up well on his first start for Charlie Swan, finishing a further 14 lengths away in third.

“It was a really good performance because I was a little worried about him stepping back from three miles the last day,” said Casey.

“But he travelled great, jumped super and I thought it was a terrific performance.

“I always thought he was probably a two-and-a-half-mile horse but they went a very quick gallop early and he had no trouble laying up with them today.

“Maybe it might prove a problem on quicker ground but he was fine today,” he told At The Races.

Casey and Mullins later made it a double as Pomme Tiepy (11-4) was on the mark in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Lombardstown Mares Novice Chase.

Parsons Pistol got the better of a thrilling duel with Uncle Junior to win the O’Connell Transport Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle.

The pair had the race between them for the last half-mile but despite being the first to come under pressure, Parsons Pistol found more for Niall Madden to win by a short-head at odds of 4-1.

Uncle Junior (6-4 favourite) lost nothing in defeat with Spaceman running a blinder at 25-1 in third.