Lynches Knock wins Cork opener under Williamson Already a winner of an academy hurdle, the Gordon Elliott trained Lynches Knock won for the second time in his brief career to date when staying on strongly to take the opening Kearney's Coaches Maiden Hurdle at Cork. Wearing first-time blinkers, the four-year-old was keen early on, as he led or disputed with main market rival Dawn Coming. Regaining the lead going out onto the final circuit, Josh Williamson set perfect fractions on the 6/4 chance at the head of affairs. Briefly joined by Dawn Coming early in the home straight, a better jump at the penultimate flight saw Lynches Knock assert, before keeping on well to win by five-lengths for owners Sapphire Racing. With Dawn Coming having no more to give on the run-in, the market leader dropped to third close home, with 80/1 outsider Red Seagull getting up for second. “He jumped brilliantly. He had loads of experience, the most experience in the field, so he was entitled to do that,” said Williamson. “Blinkers for the first time probably helped. He still had a little look at the bend passing the stands the first time but once he got into the straight and got a bit more company he was straight as a die. “He wasn’t winning out of turn as he had been placed on both starts since winning the academy hurdle. “Hopefully he can build on this. He’ll probably go into handicap company but I’m not sure what the plan is.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
