The Murphys Handicap Hurdle was the featured race on a mixed Easter Sunday card at Cork, and Hordago took full advantage of his light weight to score in good fashion under Brian Byrnes.
The Eric McNamara-trained gelding led three out, and stretched clear before the last to beat Kilbeggan Lad by four lengths. 'He won at Cheltenham in November and has been a very consistent and lucky horse for me,' said McNamara. 'He will be entered at Aintree, although he may struggle to get into the handicap there, and also at Punchestown.'
The two and a half miles beginners chase proved a very eventful affair, with the likely outcome changing a number of times in the straight. The 4/6 favourite Randwick Roar fell three out when travelling nicely on the heels of the leaders, and Lord Ajus went at the next when holding a four length lead. Hits And Memories eventually prevailed when getting up on the line under a strong drive from Sean McDermott to deny Munster Magic.
Andrew McNamara, who was aboard Randwick Roar and also took a heavy fall earlier from Vic Ville, picked himself up to score on City Of Sails, trained by his father and namesake, in the maiden hurdle.
John Egan made his first visit to the revamped Cork racecourse a winning one when the easy to back 4/5 favourite Slip Dance landed the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Race. Egan, a regular rider at the pre 1997 'Mallow' before plying his trade in Britain and further abroad, sent the Eamon Tyrrell-trained filly past the front-running Sweet Gypsy Rose a furlong out and she kept on well to beat the staying on Society Hostess by a length and a half.
'I was going to work her at the Curragh after racing until I saw this race and decided she might as well come here and earn a few quid,' said Tyrrell before adding, 'She likes to get a lead as long as possible as she pulls herself up. She didn't like the kick-back when fifth in the UAE 1,000 Guineas in Dubai and, if the ground is good, she could go for the 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown in a fortnight.'
John Oxx opened his account for the new Flat season in style when Sweet Treat made an impressive debut in the six furlongs Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Fran Berry had the Orpen filly prominent throughout on the stands' rail, and she quickened clear to beat Miss Sally by six lengths. 'She's been going quite well at home but we were worried about the ground (described as very holding by Berry). She was always travelling well and was very professional,' said Oxx's assistant Jimmy O'Neill.
There was a sting in the tail for Berry who was given a one day suspension, ruling him out of the Tipperary meeting on April 7, for moving across the field soon after the start from his number 12 stall to the stands' side rail.
Oxx was fancied to complete a quick double in the following Blarney Handicap as top-weight Dolce Voche was backed from 6/1 down to 7/2 favourite. She came home strongly but was still half a length adrift of the Rory Cleary-ridden Amongst Amigos at the line.
Favourite backers suffered further in the bumper when Virginia Preuil was just denied by newcomer Wild Ocean, the mount of Jim Barcoe.
Alan Magee
