Discoteca (noseband) under Davy Condon out stays Bulgaden up the straight in Cork© Photo Healy Racing
The opening race on the second day of the Cork Easter Festival, a 4yo maiden hurdle over two miles, went to the 7/4 favourite Discoteca for trainer Gordon Elliott with Davy Condon in the saddle.
Running in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud this son of Nayef was having his fourth start over hurdles this afternoon. He had previously won two on the level when trained by Andrew Balding in the UK.
Having run a cracker on his Irish debut to finish just two and half lengths second to Chill at Leopardstown over Christmas he then finished a well beaten fifth on his next start at Punchestown when stepped up to Grade 3 company.
Last time out he finished sixth beaten over twenty lengths by Burrenbridge Lodge in the Grade 2 Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Having tracked the leaders for much of the race he then made good headway into a close third, three flights from home.
Despite making errors at the last three he recovered well from each one and stayed on best on the run-in to score by two and three parts of a length. Bulgaden for Austin Leahy and Niall Madden ran well to take second at 10/1 while Liberty's Gift was a further six lengths back in third at 3/1 under Mick Darcy for Paul Flynn.
Winning trainer Gordon Elliott wasn't present for the win but winning rider Davy Condon said afterwards: "He appreciated the better ground. The ground is the key to him.
"He is a nice horse to have fun with over the summer. He was green when he got to the front but he still won well even though he missed the last three."
After the race Martin Mooney rider of El Gran Torino (who finished eighth) was suspended by the Stewards for two days for using his whip when his mount had no chance of winning or being placed. (DM & TW)
