FRAN FLOOD BAGS A BRACE AT CORK

Starting a meeting with a winner is always sweet and today at Cork odds-on backers did just that when 4/7 shot Griffinstown Lad easily justified favouritism in the 1st divison of the two mile Duhallow Maiden Hurdle to initiate a brace for Fran Flood .

Trained by the winning rider's father and namesake, this strapping six-year-old gelding cruised to the front on the approach to the straight and, despite an untidy leap at the penultimate flight, came away on the bridle to land the spoils by eleven lengths.

'He's a fine horse and looks the job,' commented Grangecon handler Francis Flood, before he added, 'He'll have another run or two over hurdles before he goes chasing. He hasn't jumped a fence yet but they should be no problem to him.'

Half-an-hour later former amateur champion Fran Flood brought his seasonal tally to eight courtesy of fast-finishing Dawn Native. Trained by her breeder Willie Deacon for retired Rosslare chemist Padraig Garaghy, the 4/1 shot ran on well under a determined drive from the final flight to pip Childer's Road and Ruby Walsh. Disappointing market leader Tiguillio, who was later found to be post race normal, trailed in a disappointing seventh.

Bunratty Castle, a costly failure at Thurles on his debut last month, got his act together in the third division of the maiden hurdle when making virtually all the running under Charlie Swan. His task was eased somewhat when the chasing Move Over crashed out at the third last and afterwards Tony Mullins outlined plans for Sue Magnier's Supreme Leader gelding: 'He won't be going to Cheltenham or anything like that as we're developing him as a chaser for next year. He may run in the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran next month.'

The Mullins family struck again in the BBA Training Hurdle this time via runaway scorer Native Endurance, trained by veteran Goresbridge handler Paddy. 'She jumps and stays well which are both very necessary in this game,' said Mullins after five pound claimer Shane Cooke enjoyed an armchair ride to score by a distance from So Supreme. Nearest pursuer Seymour Breese, who was a beaten twenty lengths adrift at the time, came to grief at the last but thankfully both horse and rider Ruby Walsh escaped unscathed.

Dick Donohoe and Kieran Gaule combined to scoop the Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle with the eleven-year-old Stradbally Hall, who may reappear again in a valuable handicap at Gowran later this month, while Michael Hourigan's blinkered Discerning Air defied top-weight under Bobby McNally in the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

In-form Davy Russell and Robert Tyner continued their rich vein of form when Camden Tanner forged to the front after the two furlong pole to land the concluding bumper.