Traverse has become something of a people's champion following the RTE documentary series, Only Fools Buy Horses, and his celebrity owner Hector O'hEochagain was spraying champagne once again after the four-year-old gelding scored for the second time this year in the sprint handicap.
It took a photo-finish to confirm his previous win at Ballinrobe last month, but the outcome here was far more clear-cut as the 4/1 joint favourite stretched clear a furlong out under Danny Grant to beat Peru Genie by four lengths. 'I was floating at Ballinrobe, and I am floating again now. It has taken him a bit of time to get used to racing, but I knew he was in good form today,' said a delighted Hector.
Trainer Pat Flynn repeated his feat of a double at Cork when again teaming up with Grant to take division two of the seven furlongs handicap with Lucky Grace. The five-year-old mare was always prominent, and kept on gamely up the centre of the course to beat Dark Vocation by a head. 'Lucky Grace was suited by this shorter trip, and my horses have really hit a purple patch. They often seem to strike form at this time of the year for some reason,' said the Carrick-on-Suir trainer.
Grant was just denied a treble in the claimer where Sharp Wit only failed by a head to peg back the front-running Stuttgart. This 20th winner of the season for rider Cathie Gannon was only confirmed after a stewards enquiry as Eddie Lynam's charge edged left inside the final furlong.
Clonmel permit-holder Eric Larkin saddled his first winner under rules when Koln Stars took the two and a half miles maiden hurdle. The five-year-old traveled strongly under Adrian Lane to lead after three out, and kept on well to beat High Gear by three-quarters of a length. 'I've had a point-to-point winner before but that's my first on the track,' said Larkin who has two in training, and is in his second season as a permit-holder.
Michael Darcy (20) partnered his first winner over hurdles when Cooldine Prince landed a very competitive two miles handicap hurdle. About seven of the 17 runners were still in contention approaching the final flight, and Eamonn Sheehy's charge kept on best to beat San Diego by a length.
Paul Carberry recorded a rare winner on the Flat when the Dermot Weld-trained Mobasher just touched off Englishtown in the concluding mile and a half conditions race.
Alan Magee
