POWER Under Me got the better of a final furlong battle with Mooneista in the Listed Cork Stakes. Colin Keane drove the well-backed 5/2 favourite home by a neck from the game runner-up.

Power Under Me was last seen scoring in the same grade at the Curragh in October for owner Vincent Gaul.

Ger Lyons’ assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “We were worried about the good to firm ground today as he is very ground dependent but were pleasantly surprised when we put the stick in the ground and it was beautiful good ground. However, that’s as quick as he wants it and he grows another leg when there is juice in it.

“Colin said he is after getting very strong over the winter and has matured big time. One day, if all the conditions went in his favour, there is a big pot in him. He’ll be entered for all the big sprints later in the year, the Haydock Sprint Cup and British Champions Sprint Stakes in Ascot (in October) over six furlongs and the softer the better for him.”

Amo Racing double

Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing Limited has started the new Irish flat season well and sealed a double on the card.

The Adrian Murray-trained newcomer Princess Olly (18/1) got the ball rolling in the opening Follow Us On Instagram (Fillies) Maiden for three-year-olds.

She was always to the fore in this seven-furlong assignment for Rossa Ryan and outgunned a staying-on Osraige by a length and a half.

Joorabchian was in attendance and said: “We are loving Irish racing! We have had a good success at the start of the season.

“We know the trainers here for a little while and it was just about time that we got into it. Hopefully we will have more and more in Ireland.

“Raadobarg had a fantastic run (in the Irish Lincoln) - he’s had some time off and went to Johnny (Murtagh). In fact, Johnny came up to me in the sales about six months ago and said to me ‘give me that horse, I’m going to win the Lincoln!’ and he did!”

Crisp winner

Another debutant, Crispy Cat, successfully sported the Amo Racing Limited silks in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden for juveniles.

The Ardad colt showed plenty of dash off the front in this five-furlong contest and fended off 9/4 favourite Beauty Crescent by half a length at 5/2 with Leigh Roche in the plate.

Trainer Michael O’Callaghan said: He is a lovely horse to get our hands on and we really liked him before today. He has quickened up like a decent horse, it was his first time off the bridle and he just gave him a little flick and he learned what it was about quite quickly.

“He is quite smart and hopefully he will be going to Royal Ascot and a stiff five furlongs will suit him. He’ll probably go to the Listed First Flyer Stakes at the Curragh next.”

Level Pitch shows improvement

JIM Bolger’s Level Pitch showed improvement on his seasonal reappearance in the Racing Home For Easter 16-18 April Handicap.

The 7/2 favourite was on the premises between It’s Snowing and Shanghai Dragon approaching the furlong pole and came home best in the final 100 yards.

The Dawn Approach gelding went on by a length and a quarter for Kevin Manning in Jackie Bolger’s colours.

Una Manning, representing Bolger, said: “He has been gelded since last year and the boss said he has never had a horse to improve or do as well over the winter. It has been a family which has been good to us, so hopefully he will go on and do another bit.”

Drombeg Banner (3/1 favourite) gave his owner a boost when obliging by a length in the hands of Billy Lee in the Book Tickets At CorkRacecourse.ie Handicap.

Trainer Ken Condon said: “It is lovely to see Phil (McAuliffe) and all his family here - that meant a lot as he has been poorly of late and will be delighted with this. He is homebred by Phil and winters at home with Cian, his son, so there’s a great family connection. I’d say there will be mighty celebrations tonight.”

“This race, if you look back on it, every year it seems to work out and he’s a horse we think a bit of. Bill said that if anything had come to him, he would found again and was pleased with him.”

Burren could be on Song

CIAN Horgan rode the third winner of his career on Burren Song in the Newsletter At CorkRacecourse.ie App Handicap over an extended mile and a quarter.

The four-year-old gelding found plenty for the jockey to see off Morning Approach by three-quarters of a length.

Trainer Andrew Slattery said of the 7/2 favourite: “We were worried that the ground tightened a bit but he handled it well. He is progressing in handicaps and will be better over one-mile, four or one-mile, six.

“He stays well. Hopefully he could end up being a Galway amateur handicap type of horse and it is great for his owner/breeder Pat McNamara.”

Shark bites

Ryan Moore booted home a winner for Aidan O’Brien on Shark Bay in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.

The Smith, Magnier, Tabor and Westerberg colours were carried to victory by half a length once Shark Bay (11/4) got the better of Nusret in the closing stages.

Moore said: “He had some good form last year and it was nice to step him up in trip. He showed a good attitude to win.

“He is still learning and I expect him to progress. It is a lovely track.”