Hatch Hall soars over the last in Cork© Photo Healy Racing
Hatch Hall proved that jumping is the name of the game as a terrific leap at the last secured victory in the opening maiden hurdle at Cork.
The well-backed 11/10 favourite, from a morning price of 15/8, was brought into contention by Johnny Barry coming to the final flight which he nimbly cleared. Crucially, he landed in the lead, full of running, to beat Tithonus (16/1) by two lengths. Pashtunwali was a length and three parts off the runner-up in third at 13/2.
Trainer Karl Thornton said: "For a horse that has run on the flat, he is still quite babyish and lost three or four lengths coming down the hill at Clonmel (two starts ago).
"I think he is well handicapped on the flat and was beaten at the Curragh on Tuesday by a horse (Mademoiselle Penny) who has since won again.
"He could go to places like Musselburgh during the winter where he might still get good ground but before then there's a race on the flat at Dundalk on Wednesday week."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
