Faster surface no problem for promising Hide The Evidence

JESSICA Harrington's Hide The Evidence completed a hat-trick with a fine front-running display in the INH Stallion Owners' EBF Novice Hurdle at Cork yesterday.

His previous win came in testing conditions at Roscommon, but he handled this much quicker surface with equal aplomb.

The Carroll House gelding took no prisoners for Andrew Leigh and, literally, galloped his rivals into the ground.

Monty Mint tried hard to close in the straight, but could never get in a real blow.

Commented Harrington: “Andrew said he was tanking all the way and he will now go for one those nice two mile novice hurdles.

“He is only five and will fill out, I am sure chasing will eventually be his game.”

Heavily-backed odds-on favourite Cleni Boy was a big disappointment. He made a mistake six out, but lost little ground, and was well beaten on the approach to the third last.

The Liam Burke-trained Optimus Prime followed his Listowel maiden win by taking the Dairygold Agri Trading Value For Money Hurdle.

The Looney Bishop, having a first outing in a year, but well taken morning prices, jumped ahead at the fourth last, but was none too good at the final flight and Optimus Prime soon swept past for Paul Carberry.

“He improved from Listowel and is a fair horse”, reported Burke. “I thought he'd be going chasing this season, but will stay over hurdles now.”

Dreux slipped up when on the heels of the leaders, just before the turn in. His rider, Denis O'Regan, escaped with a shaking and was stood down for the rest of the day.

Zum See, who performed poorly in bad ground at Listowel, was seen in a far better light in the Dairygold Co-Op Superstores Handicap Chase, completing a double for Carberry.

Ridden from behind then, Carberry was more positive on this occasion, keeping the enigmatic character close to the pace.

He made his move on the market drifter before two out and Zum See was always carrying too many guns for well supported favourite, On The Net.

“It's a nice pot and everything went right for him”, said Gillian O'Brien, partner of winning trainer, Noel Meade.

That was a good result for the layers, but nothing compared to the one Tim Doyle's Roisin's Prince gave them in the Dairygold Fertility Booster Maiden Hurdle.

Ridden by Andrew McNamara, he got the best of a tough tusssle with Gleann An Sagart to score at odds of 33-1.

The stewards inquired into the performance of Gerry Cully's Novarra, who finished down the field. The matter was referred to the Referrals' Committee.

Charles Byrnes' Cailin Alainn made a successful start over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Novice Chase and was a good order to do so.

She was taken from 3-1 to 7-4 favourite, beat Django a length and then survived a stewards' inquiry

Cailin Alainn was left in front when Rights Of Man departed the scene at the third from home and was strongly pressed before and after the last by the second.

Django struggled to get a run up the rail and was finally switched to challenge by Tommy Treacy.

But he made no progress once in the clear and was a length down at the line. The stewards decided no alteration to the placings was necessary.

Davy Russell, who rode Cailin Alainn, was, however, found guilty of careless riding and suspended for four days.

Paul Nolan's Home Force could be mapped as the likely winner of the Dairygold Quality Feeds Handicap Hurdle from a fair way out.

John Cullen was sitting motionless and there was only going to be one result once he eased his charge into the lead between the final two flights.

Joe Crowley's newcomer, Druids Castle battled like a lion up the straight to resist promising first-timer Siegemaster and Coast in the Bumper.

More in this section



Sign up
