Top-class sprinter Bobby's Kitten made a most impressive Irish debut for Dermot Weld at Cork on Monday.

The five-year-old claimed the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in 2014 when trained by American handler Chad Brown and was not beaten far into fourth when defending his crown at Keeneland last October.

Making his first appearance in Ireland, Bobby's Kitten was allowed to go off at 5-1 for his six-furlong assignment at listed level, despite the significant withdrawal of Tom Hogan's multiple Group 1 winner Gordon Lord Byron.

Pat Smullen positioned his mount close to the pace from the off and after taking over the lead with more than a furlong still to run, Bobby's Kitten found another gear to pull eight and a half lengths clear.

Flight Risk was best of the rest in second, but 5-4 favourite Great Minds was disappointing.

Smullen said: "Obviously his form spoke for itself but it was hard to be confident with the ground the way it is. He's a free-going sort who does his work on his own.

"I didn't know if he'd handle the ground. His ability got him out of trouble rather than going on it and in the last furlong he was lying up on the fence looking for a bit of help.

"He has enough ability for me and I was very impressed with him - he got the six (furlongs) well and while five is a bit short at this stage, he could go up another furlong.

"He'll be there at the highest level over six furlongs and all those big races are open to him."

Salsify landed odds of 1-6 in the Jack Tyner Memorial Hunters Chase.

The Rodger Sweeney-trained 11-year-old did not have things all his own way but had an official three-quarters of a length in hand at the line from Character Actor.

Sweeney said: "He was out in front a long time and was idling away - my old heart gave a bit of a jump at one stage!

"We'll see how he comes out of this but while we'll look at Aintree, it'll probably be Punchestown next. He still has the same old sparkle and will definitely come back again next season."

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