Sunni May, far side, collars Dr Mikey in Cork© Photo Healy Racing
Jessica Harrington's Sunni May (9/2) stayed on powerfully for a last-gasp success over Dr Mikey at Cork.
The complexion of this maiden hurdle changed completely when 1/3 favourite Bacardys fell at the third last when tracking Dr Mikey in second.
This left 14/1 chance Dr Mikey well clear of Sunni May who was hampered by the fall of Bacardys.
Robbie Power soon got after Sunni May who began to reduce the deficit coming to the final flight.
Dr Mikey still held a healthy five-length lead upon clearing the last but a combination of him tiring, and Sunni May flying home, saw the latter prevail by a neck. Spare Brakes (66/1) came in third, some 43 lengths adrift.
Robbie Power said: “He was value for a lot more than the small margin he won by, as I was badly hampered by Paul’s horse at the third last and the other horse got four or five lengths on me.
“He winged the last two hurdles and is an exciting horse to look forward to. He probably wants a bit nicer ground and maybe two and a half miles but he jumped super.”
Willie Mullins said of Bacardys: "He got a lot of cuts and we were wondering where he got them. He had stitches on a hind leg and on his neck. I didn’t really see the race.
“I’ve just spoke to the vet down there and he said he’ll be alright - they are superficial. He’ll probably just need a week to let the wounds heal but he didn’t think there was anything untoward about them.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
