THE progressive Cousin Kate (11/10 favourite) completed a double for trainer Denis Hogan at Cork, when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle.

A winner of a similar contest at Limerick on St Stephen’s Day, the Liam Mulryan-owned daughter of Maxios proved far too good for her six rivals. Having tracked the leaders, the winner went on after three out and went clear to readily account for Catchabird by six lengths.

It was a 25th winner under rules for jockey Eoin Staples, whose claim will now be reduced to 5lb. “It’s a bittersweet moment, as you are trying to hold onto the 7lb claim for as long as you can,” said Staples.

“I’ve had an unbelievable start to my professional career and my agent Garry Cribbin has done a great job.

“This mare didn’t have a hard race at Limerick and was arguably better than ever today. I was quite taken with her.”

Tables turned

Tatateo (11/4) was Hogan’s first winner as he reversed Leopardstown form with Spinola Bay in the Goldcrop Rated Novice Hurdle.

Only ninth when Gordon Elliott’s horse won at the Dublin venue over Christmas, the Teofilo gelding made the most of a significant pull in the weights and collared Youneedabitofluck on the run-in to score by three-parts of a length, with the pacesetting Spinola Bay back in third.

“That’s my first winner for Denis,” rider Michael Kenneally said of the Final Reminder Syndicate’s five-year-old. “He was bullish when I rang him on the way down, and the better ground is probably key for this horse.”

THE opening maiden hurdle over two miles and one furlong was won by The Reverend (4/11 favourite), on the 102-rated flat horse’s first start for Willie Mullins.

Favourite-backers had few worries as the Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy-owned five-year-old settled well in second under Paul Townend and was quick at his obstacles on this first run over flights. Quickening from three out, he kept on well to win by four and three-quarter lengths.

“He settled really nice for a horse that has done so much racing on the flat,” Townend reported. “I’d hope he can make his mark at graded level. He’s not big, but he’s hardy, jumps well and, if he can transfer his level of form on the flat to jumps, he’d be a good ride.”

Local winner

Trained just a few miles outside Mallow in Ballyclough, Rebel Budz (5/2) was a well-received winner of the three-mile maiden hurdle, building on a promising second on hurdle debut.

Trained by Paul O’Flynn for his father Thomas, the seven-year-old led after jumping the third last and went clear to score by 14 lengths.

“He always showed promise,” winning jockey Darragh O’Keeffe said. “He’s still a light-framed horse, but I think all the time they are giving him will stand to him going forward.”

CAUGHT close home when second on her debut at Fairyhouse, Moonverrin (5/2 favourite) went one place better in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race for Martin Hassett and owner Deirdre Hassett.

Settled in mid-division by Pa King, the daughter of Well Chosen was ridden to lead over a furlong out and kept on well to score by a length from Owning Flower.

The winning trainer commented: “I’m trying to keep it low-key at the moment, but we think she’s special.

“The half-brother Mulcahys Hill was a serious horse, and I think she’ll match him.

“Pa wanted to go point-to-pointing with her, as she’s absolutely dynamite to jump. The plan is to go for the Mares Bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival and then Cheltenham or Aintree, or both.”

Headgear

A first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces worked a treat for the Gillian Scott-trained Way Down South (12/1) in the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Beginners Chase.

The Ocovango gelding tracked the leaders under Dan King and hit the front after the second last, before staying on well to post a length and a quarter victory.

Scott commented: “He ran poorly in Limerick, and it was a gamble bringing him back so fast, but the cheekpieces helped, the tongue-tie helped, the ground helped and dropping him back two furlongs helped.

“I’m delighted and some of the owners (WDS Syndicate) are here as well.”

Milan in luck

Due to concerns about the ground on the chase track after overnight frost, there was a slew of late withdrawals ahead of the Easyfix Equine Handicap Chase.

Longtime leader Cahirdown Boy was still a couple of lengths clear of his nearest pursuer approaching the last, where he unseated and left Milan Forth (7/2) clear. The Simon Cavanagh-trained gelding stayed on well to win by four lengths, providing his trainer with a first win under rules, and a first since turning conditional for rider Kevin Healy.

“It’s great to ride a winner for Simon and for my grandfather (owner Patrick Whyte),” Healy said.

Cavanagh, who is based near Mullingar and 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.”