WILLIE Mullins landed both blacktype contests on Cork’s Paddy Power-sponsored card with Roc Dino (5/4 favourite) adding to his progressive profile in the listed three-mile novice hurdle.
Owned by Hollywood Racing and Barnane Stud, the five-year-old eased clear from two out to beat Theflyingking by eight lengths.
“He had nice runs behind Mighty Park and El Cairos last season and is putting it together now,” said jockey Paul Townend.
“He has got confidence from winning and today’s trip was no problem to him. Hopefully he’ll keep improving, because he’ll have to.”
Dino doubling up
Also by Doctor Dino, Love Me Tender (evens favourite) completed the Mullins brace when making all in the Paddy Power Irish EBF Novice Chase over two and a half miles.
Owned by J.P. McManus, Harry Cobden’s mount scored readily by 15 lengths from Frankie John.
“He is only a small horse, but jumped well and was very brave,” said Cobden.
“At some of the fences, he could have popped away, but had a good cut instead. He is clever enough, he needs to be, and did what he had to do.
“Good ground is key to him though and I’m not sure if he’d want it too soft, which would be my only worry for the winter.”
Cobden’s brace
Cobden had earlier landed the two-mile mares’ maiden hurdle for his retained owner on the Joseph O’Brien-trained Cornelienne (5/2).
In the frame in two useful maidens last winter, the Golden Horn five-year-old got the better of odds-on favourite Lennon Grove by two and three-quarter lengths.
Cobden reported: “She was a bit long and low at the first but, apart from that, she jumped well.
“I just wanted to wait as she doesn’t do a whole lot off the bridle, and waited until the second-last before making a move.
“She is only a five-year-old, although being flat-bred, has probably been in training since a yearling. Hopefully, she can progress.”
THE stamina test of the Paddy Power Cork Grand National over three and a half miles suited Henry de Bromhead’s Quantum Quest.
The 10/3-priced Idaho gelding outstayed rivals under J.J. Slevin.
Blinkered for the first time, the six-year-old tracked the leaders and moved into contention two out.
The winner hit the front over the last to beat Our Soldier by two and three-quarter lengths.
Slevin, in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, was winning this race for the first time.
Slevin commented: “Fair play to Henry for putting the blinkers on, as it has worked the oracle.
“He travelled much kinder and smoother today and it was a good performance.
“Last season, we thought long distances would be his thing and galloping is his game. He probably isn’t a real winter horse though.”
Prize money
Regarding the €14,725 first-place prize money, Slevin added: “This is one of Cork’s flagship days, so it is a little disappointing to win such little prize money.
“This is a high-quality race, but it is hard to get a big ‘pot’ for these long-distance horses.
“We often applaud the prize money in Ireland, but people need to have another look at it, to raise it again.
“Everyone is happy winning any race, as they are so difficult to win, but if you have good horses, you want to be rewarded.”
Back to her best
A three-time winner last year, Tir Og (10/1) returned to winning ways in the handicap hurdle over two and a half miles.
In the front rank throughout, the winner appeared to have the measure of challenger Who’s Da Goose, when that rival fell at the final flight.
Conor Clarke’s mount was left in the clear to win by eight and half lengths from Black Bamboo.
Trainer Eoin Seymour said: “She has got her form back in the last couple of weeks and was in good order coming here.
“If the ground was softer, it would have suited even better.”
The five-year-old is owned by the Keepthehighballslow Syndicate, which includes well-known names RTE pundit Joe Canning and ex-Limerick hurler Paudie O’Brien.
A BELLEWSTOWN winner at odds of 20/1 in August, Crypto Crash came good at 16/1 in the Ballymaloe Foods Handicap Hurdle over two miles, which was the only race not sponsored by Paddy Power.
The son of Postponed came from off the pace under Danny Mullins to beat the always-prominent Duce Bigalow by two and a quarter lengths.
Trainer Ken Budds reported: “Kevin Galvin, a neighbour of mine who has been with me for years, was always breeding from mares but decided to buy this fellow online for 3,800gns, so it has worked out well.”
Regarding the recent loss of stable star Anyway in last month’s Munster National at Limerick, he added: “That was devastating, but this will help a small bit. Anyway will be hard to replace, but we will soldier on with what we have.”
Seuil gains Irish success
Trained by Gordon Elliott for Robcour, Marco Du Seuil landed odds of 10/11 in the two-mile maiden hurdle.
Successful in a Grade 3 AQPS race over a mile and a half in France, the Galiway gelding had been placed on his first two starts over hurdles.
In front from halfway, he scored readily by four and a half lengths from Bacharach. “He had experience and fitness on his side, so I was happy to be forward on him and it worked out,” said rider Jack Kennedy. “He was almost waiting for something to come to him, and only did what he had to up the home straight.”