Angel gives Harrington a surprise

Bostons Angel sprang a minor surprise as he saw off his only two rivals to claim the McCarthy Insurance Group Hurdle at Cork.

The meeting had only got the go-ahead after an 8am inspection and following a 20-minute delay before the first race as officials made alterations to the track, it was no surprise to see quite a few non-runners on the card.

Three were taken out of the two-mile-two-furlong event leaving Mr Warbucks and Kauto Relko, a half-brother to Kauto Star, as the joint 5-4 market leaders with the Jessica Harrington-trained Bostons Angel a 4-1 chance.

Kauto Relko set out to make all but he crashed out when beaten at the second last and Bostons Angel showed plenty of guts for Robbie Power, prevailing by two lengths from Mr Warbucks.

Harrington said: “Bostons Angel was doing nothing the whole way around and never picked up the bit at any stage – that’s just the way he is and he won’t change!”

The opening McCarthy Insurance Group Mares Handicap Hurdle may have gone off 20 minutes later than expected but Dolly Hall (7-4) shrugged off the minor delay to oblige favourite backers, coming home two lengths clear for trainer Liam Burke and jockey Robert Jones.

Burke said: “He gave her a very good ride and she deserved that win.

“She’s a tough mare and the further she goes the better she is – we will probably go chasing with her next.”

Just five runners went to post for the Kanturk Maiden Hurdle, with victory eventually going to Mouse Morris’ 4-5 favourite Shane Rock.

“The ground is much faster that Shane Rock would like today but he did it well enough,” said Morris.

“He got a fright when he fell at Leopardstown over Christmas but I haven’t been able to school him since due to the frosty ground – he’ll make a nice staying chaser in time.”

Brian O’Connell delivered Kilflora (9-4) with a perfectly-timed run to lift the first division of the McCarthy Insurance Group Maiden Hurdle and spark a double for trainer Philip Fenton.

He was cantering all over his rivals coming down to the last but having found little in the finish in previous starts, O’Connell held on before pushing on over the final flight.

Fenton said: “Brian has oceans of confidence and gave Kilflora a great ride. Kilflora can be a soft horse and doesn’t find a lot off the bridle. He’ll go for a handicap next.”

The handler completed his brace as Old Charm (7-1) took the closing McCarthy Insurance Group Flat Race.

Declan Bates partnered his fourth winner as Goidelic (8-1) landed division two of the maiden hurdle for his boss Philip Rothwell.