WINNER of a valuable handicap at the Curragh on Derby weekend, Reverend Hubert returned to jumps in Cork’s RBC Brewin Dolphin Hurdle over three miles and ran out a facile winner under Phillip Enright.

The 6/4 favourite travelled well throughout and led exiting the back straight on the final circuit. James Flaherty’s eight-year-old cruised clear from two out to beat Mousey Brown by six lengths on the bridle.

Enright said of the Charles Byrnes-trained winner: “He jumped and travelled and loves that nice ground. He had good confidence off that Flat win the last day.

“It’s great to get a winner for Charles. I’ve ridden plenty of winners over the years for him. It was unlucky that Philip (Byrnes, suspended) missed today, but he will be back on him the next day. Charles is a great trainer and he’s brilliant to be associated with.”

In what proved to be his final outing, Hewick was a laboured third with ‘Shark’ Hanlon subsequently announcing the retirement of his stable star.

Bought for just €850 as a youngster, Hewick won 12 races in all including the Galway Plate in 2022 and the King George the following year. According to his trainer, he will spend his retirement on owner T.J. McDonald’s farm.

Maiden haul

Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy combined to win all three maidens on the card, kicking off with Hygge’s comfortable victory in the Ashgrove Renewables Maiden Hurdle, for four-year-olds, over two miles and a furlong.

The 11/10 favourite, in the Wodhooh colours of the Sundowners Syndicate, tracked the pace-setting Mont Star and travelled well to lead before two, drawing clear to beat that rival by eight lengths.

“He jumped well and it was fairly straightforward,” said Kennedy. “It was a lot simpler than in his previous hurdle runs and he’s after growing up a good bit.”

NEXT up for Cullentra and Kennedy was Cosmos D’ainay (6/1) who easily landed the DNG John Ryan Auctioneer Maiden Hurdle over two miles and a furlong.

The Muhtathir gelding went on three out and, after being left clear when closest pursuer Minella Post departed at the next flight, came home 11 lengths in front of Lucky Vick.

Assistant trainer Ian Amond remarked of Mrs Lieu Rabson’s six-year-old: “Jack said he liked that good ground and it’s good to have him back on course after being off a while.”

Aidan Ryan’s Sound Judgement (4/1) enjoyed the test of stamina presented by the three-mile maiden hurdle to complete the Elliott/Kennedy treble.

A point-to-point winner for Colin Bowe, the Doyen mare was fitted with cheekpieces for the first time and headed Withabitofluk three out to score by two and a quarter lengths.

“She had a bit of experience and that step up in trip suited her,” said Amond. “She’s won well and I’d say she’ll be kept on the go. Three winners, so a good night all round. The horses are in good order.”

PAT Foley recorded a double which was initiated by Gino Bella (10/3 favourite) who recorded her first win under rules in the Kelkab Ltd. Handicap Hurdle over two miles and a furlong.

A point-to-point winner for Aidan Fitzgerald, Mrs Rose Byrnes’ six-year-old had been placed in four of her previous seven starts over flights and was prominent throughout in beating Let It Settle by three and a quarter lengths.

“Pat has been very good to me and I’m delighted to ride another winner for him,” said local winning rider Alan O’Sullivan. “She travelled and jumped very well and deserved her day. She likes to get on with it, but over two miles that suits her and she stays this trip really well.”

Double up

Owned by his sister Sharon, Arctic Flame (13/2) survived a stewards’ enquiry after the mares’ handicap hurdle to complete Foley’s double.

Runner-up to stablemate Colleen Danu on her previous start at Clonmel, the Walk In The Park bay led from three out but hung left from the next and hampered runner-up Bossy Bird on the run-in.

First past the post by a length and a half, Simon Torrens’ mount kept the race after the stewards’ deliberations, but the rider was hit with a four-day suspension for careless riding.

“I would have thought it was a nice performance,” said Torrens. “I thought the horse in front would bring me a bit further and she’s got plenty idle up the straight. She’s run around a good bit from the back of the second-last and has been lugging out left the whole way.

“I always felt if something came to me, she’d go on again, and I think she won snug enough at the line.”

Successful debut

Ross O’Sullivan’s newcomer Hilly Filly was sent off 17/2 for the four-year-old fillies’ bumper and came from last to first to score under Lee Shanahan.

The daughter of Affinisea still had plenty of rivals in front of her early in the straight but, once switched from the stands’ side to challenge on the far side, she powered home to beat Honey Buck’s by a length and a quarter.

She’s quite green and we wanted to give her an educational ride,” said assistant trainer Tom Harney. “She always showed snippets of ability at home. This is the second horse that Geoff Angus has had in the yard. The first one didn’t work out too well, and I’m delighted that she’s done the job for him.”