Philip Enright completes Mallow double on backs of Poets Oath and Mystic Malina

Poets Oath and Philip Enright win for trainer Robert Tyner. Pic: Healy Racing

There was a raucous atmosphere at a sun-kissed Cork Racecourse on Thursday where the students flocked to the Mallow venue for the annual student raceday.

The first three races on the seven-race card being won by fancied horses further enhanced the feelgood feeling.

It got tougher from there for punters but the Willie Mullins-trained Emerald Enigma, sent off the 2-1 favourite, ensured most racegoers went home happy when digging deep to land the bumper in the hands of Jody Townend.

Lynches Knock got the ball rolling when running out an impressive winner of the opening race, the Kearney's Coaches Maiden Hurdle.

A winner at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, the Gordon Elliott-trained four-year-old finished in front of subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Saratoga when second to Kai Lung at Naas in January before finishing third at the same venue on his most recent start.

The 6-4 shot put that experience to good use here, finishing five lengths clear of Red Seagull who ran a big race at odds of 80-1 with 10-11 favourite Dawn Coming back in third.

“He had loads of experience, the most experience out of the field so he was entitled to do that,” winning jockey Josh Williamson said. 

“Blinkers for the first time probably helped, he had a little look at the fence passing the stand the first time but once he got into the straight and got a bit more company he was straight as a dye. He wasn’t winning out of turn. Hopefully he can build on this.”

Royal Gladiator and Keith Donoghue won for trainer Ian Donoghue at Mallow. Pic: Healy Racing

The market leaders came to the fore in the Mouse Trap Bar & Bridge House Bar Pre Race Party Maiden Hurdle with Royal Gladiator finding most at the business end of proceedings to thwart fellow 2-1 joint-favourite Captains Speech with 5-2 shot Speculateur third.

“I was inclined to get him rolling off the bend because I knew he wouldn’t win a sprint so I wanted to get him rolling and he jumped the last three well and that’s what won it for me,” said winning jockey Keith Donoghue.

The William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle provided the finish of the day as 3-1 favourite Poets Oath got up in the shadow of the post to deny Gino Bello.

The Robert Tyner-trained five-year-old came here on the back of a narrow defeat at Punchestown in February and showed a good attitude to prevail by a neck.

“It was good, he battled well,” said Tyner. “He got under the second last a bit and Phillip said he got under the last too. It just made it a bit harder for him and he just got there.” 

Poets Oath was the first leg of a double for jockey Phillip Enright that was completed when the Donie Murphy-trained Mystic Malina landed the spoils in the Social Packs For The Easter Festival Handicap Hurdle.

A winner at Clonmel in December, Mystic Malina disappointed at Naas in January but bounced right back to her best here, scoring at odds of 10-1.

“The last day in Naas she just got stuck in the ground a little bit but the ground dried out today and it suited her and Donie had her in great form,” Enright explained. 

“We went a nice gallop and she travelled lovely and she jumped well.” Reflecting on his double, Enright said: “I’ve been lucky in Mallow. Donie was just saying that 13 years ago I won this race for him. Donie’s a great fella to ride for, he rode himself and he leaves it to you. Sometimes it’s a lot easier when that happens.” 

Coming just days after Mother’s Day, Onlymammycanloveme was a fitting winner of the Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series At Punchestown Festival 2026 Qualifier Handicap Hurdle.

Jockey Tiernan Power committed the Seamus Neville-trained seven-year-old a fair way from home and the 14-1 shot, who came here on the back of finishing second on heavy ground at Gowran Park last time out, galloped all the way to the line to win by a length and a half.

The winning jockey said: “They’ve had a few issues with his back I think and he just wasn’t jumping like he can. They gave him a bit of time and got his back looked at and he seems to be back to himself now and he did it well today.” 

It was a landmark day for Luke Barnett as the 17-year-old from Tipperary rode his first winner when the Eddie Power-trained Stardhem landed the Gentlemen's League Fegentri World Championship Handicap Hurdle Barnett said: “It was great. He did everything for me really and I’m very grateful to Eddie for giving me the ride. I’ve had less than 10 rides and that’s my first winner today. It’s brilliant to get it.” 

Paying tribute to his jockey, Power said: “I’m delighted he got his winner. He’s very good over a jump, a natural. He’s a good young lad and is hardy. I’d say he’ll be going places.”