Useful hunter Milan Forth lands first handicap Due to concerns about the ground (officially yielding to soft, soft in places but probably more lively than that after overnight frost) there was a slew of late withdrawals ahead of the EASYFIX Equine Handicap Chase at Cork. Seven horses came out, leaving a field of six to face the starter. Cahirdown Boy set out to make all the running under Calum Hogan and was still a couple of lengths clear of nearest pursuer Milan Forth when running around on the approach to the last. Eric McNamara's veteran was skew-whiff to his left in mid-air over that final fence and, on landing, Hogan came out the side door on the right. This left Milan Forth (7/2) clear and he stayed on well to beat Battle Of Mirbat by four lengths. It was a first winner under Rules for trainer Simon Cavanagh, and a first as a conditional rider for Kevin Healy, who had won two hunter chases on the bay gelding last year. Healy said “It’s great to ride a winner for Simon and for my grandfather (owner Patrick Whyte) “To be fair, he was finding all the way to the last and was brave everywhere I wanted him to be as well. “I was an amateur with Simon and rode about seven winners for him point-to-pointing. I also rode winners for Adrian Murray in point-to-points. “I’m with Cian Collins four days a week and also with John McConnell and Dec Queally as well.” Winning trainer Cavanagh, formerly a successful amateur rider, enthused “It’s great to get off the mark. It’s been a tough season so far, as my horses have been running in and out. “This horse was very disappointing the last day in Thurles, so to come here and win today is special. “He ran a few times on good ground in point-to-points, so I wasn’t too worried about the ground. “He seemed in great form during the week, and I was coming here hopeful. He ran to the line today and it’s great to have Kevin on board.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
