HENRY de Bromhead saddled the top two in the weights for Cork’s featured Co-Op Superstores Handicap Steeplechase, over two and a quarter miles, and they provided the Knockeen handler with a 1-2.

The J.P. McManus-owned Birdie Or Bust (6/1) led from the fourth under Harry Cobden and got home by three-parts of a length from Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount, the sketchy-jumping Jasko Des Dames.

“It’s Harry’s first winner for me and he is a big part of McManus team now, so I’m delighted,” said de Bromhead.

“She is a decent mare on her day, but we got her trip wrong the last day, as she likes two miles to two and a quarter and likes that good ground as well.”

Atomic lands a blow

Cobden had to settle for second on Step By Step in the Co-Op Superstores 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle, over an extended one mile, seven furlongs, as his predecessor in the role as first jockey to McManus, Mark Walsh, delivered Atomic City from off the pace to make a winning start over jumps.

The 4/5 favourite, trained by Joseph O’Brien, was pushed out to win cosily by half a length.

In his debrief to the media afterwards, Walsh revealed that he would be riding first-choice to owners Sean and Bernardine Mulryan this season.

“On his last run at Royal Ascot, he was very keen and Joseph told me to walk him out in last, get him relaxed and that was the biggest thing.

“I was just able to get a lead down to the last, so it worked out great, although it probably wasn’t a brilliant race.”

Wide-margin win

Bred, owned and trained by Charles Byrnes, Let Him B (11/8 favourite) was a facile winner of the Kendellen Construction Handicap Hurdle over two miles, three furlongs.

The Casamento gelding led three out, before going clear under Philip Byrnes to beat Teagarden Jazz by 13 lengths.

“The better ground and flat track suited him,” said the winning trainer. “He will jump a fence in time, but we’ll keep going over hurdles for now, although he wouldn’t want the ground to be much worse.”

JUST three lined up for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle over three miles and owner-ridden Minella Emperor (9/4) scored readily by 12 lengths from Siege Of Carthage.

“Donagh Meyler gave him a great spin at Haydock last season, so I got his words of wisdom and he gave me a good steer,” said jockey Michael O’Neill.

Regarding the Shantou gelding’s £3,500 purchase, registered to ‘S. Claus?’ from an online sale a week before Christmas in 2024, O’Neill revealed: “After buying the horse, Emmet (Mullins, trainer) asked who he should put down as purchaser, so I replied saying I didn’t mind.

“He put down ‘S. Claus’! He was bought as a practice horse for me to ride, but it has really worked out - Emmet is a genius.”

Martymill off the mark

Trained by Anthony McCann for the Hasson Syndicate, Downpatrick bumper winner Martymill (5/6 favourite) got off the mark on his second start over flights in the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction & Median Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles.

The son of Getaway duelled with Conor’salwaysright from three out and, despite being deliberate over the last, scored by four and a quarter lengths.

“He is quirky and was having a good look around, but has plenty of ability,” said rider James Smith. “Staying three miles will be no problem to him.”

CLAUDE (17/2) gave Tallow trainer Sarah Connell a first success for owner Michael Ryan in the Friends Of Castlemagner LGFA Rated Novice Chase over two and a quarter miles.

Ryan’s home-bred grey son of Caravaggio was disputing the lead when jumping badly right at the final fence, almost unseating Aidan Kelly, but regained momentum to score by three lengths from Moylussa.

“That’s his first win for me and he got a fantastic ride from Aidan,” said Connell. “He’ll handle winter ground and it is fantastic to get a winner for Michael Ryan.”

Debut success for Kid

Askeaton trainer Colm Ryan is a respected producer of bumper horses and his Blue Bresil newcomer Klassical Kid (5/1) took the Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel (Pro/Am) Flat Race, over two miles, three furlongs.

Harry Swan’s mount showed plenty of greenness before getting the better of Rokanako by two and three-quarter lengths.

“He is a very smart horse, sharp and athletic,” said Ryan. “We bought him from Jonjo Bright at the Derby Sale (June 2025), as he recommended him to us and is the first horse he had pinhooked.

“We met Jonjo at the sales and he had him nicely prepared. He has a very good pedigree and will make into a high-end three-miler.”

Queen claims her throne

A field of seven newcomers lined up for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Academy Hurdle, over two miles and a furlong, and Plumton Queen (8/1) came out on top for Gavin Cromwell and Kevin Sexton after getting the better of a good tussle with odds-on favourite World Of The Way.

Both fillies made mistakes at the last, and it was Plumton Queen, owned by Mrs A Cantillon, who stayed on best to win by a length and a quarter.

“She is a nice filly and Gavin (in Czechia with Final Orders) was sweet on her,” said Sexton. “I schooled her on Friday morning, when I really liked her, but she is plenty raw and is a big baby.”