SIR Bob belied his age to run out a game winner of the Listed Paddy Power Cork Grand National Handicap Chase at Mallow on Sunday.

The J.P. McManus-owned veteran battled back bravely on the run-in to register a short-head verdict over Barry Connell’s Call The Tune.

Local trainer Robert Tyner said of his 9/1 winner: “I was great that it worked out as his jumping kept him in it. He is inclined to be lazy through his races but once he was there turning in, I thought he had a great chance.

“Staying is his job and he was unlucky in Punchestown (last April) when only beaten in a photo finish having been jumped across at the last fence. This is well deserved and he is tough. We were happy with his first run back over hurdles but disappointed with his second run although today’s extra distance helped.

“This is my first time winning this race, it is a good pot and he is an 11-year-old so it is great to get it. He is getting near the edge in handicaps now but we’ll look to the Porterstown Chase and to longer-distance hurdles now.”

Abi’s Champ made an immediate impact over flights when readily landing the Paddy Power Dear Lord I’ve Left The Immersion On Mares Maiden Hurdle by six and a half lengths.

Dismounted

Sent off joint even money favourite, the Slaneyville Syndicate-owned five-year-old proved far too strong for market rival Banprionsa. Paul Townend reported on the mare who was dismounted after the line: “She was lame on pulling up unfortunately. I couldn’t have been happier with her throughout the race and her jumping warmed up.

“She had a look when I was in front but opened up down the straight. I think she could be good but the important thing is she will hopefully be okay.”

GAVIN Cromwell’s Letsbeclearaboutit maintained his unbeaten record over fences when easily landing the Grade 3 Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Irish EBF Novice Chase.

Sent off a well backed 5/4 favourite, the Alymer Stud-owned gelding led three out on his way to an impressive 10-length success.

Cromwell said: “He was very good and looks an out-and-out chaser. You’d have to be excited by him and it was very straight-forward for Sean (Flanagan); 11st 2lb is Keith’s (Donoghue) minimum weight so he missed the ride.

“We’ll probably give him a Drinmore entry, it’s four weeks away, and that’s what’s on my mind at the moment. I don’t think he needs to go three miles, as he has plenty of gears and he loves jumping.”

The Buzzer Racing Syndicate-owned Conyers Hill followed up his Clonmel maiden victory by making a winning start to life in handicap company in the Paddy Power How Many Days ‘Til Christmas Handicap Hurdle.

A well backed 10/3 favourite, the Paul Nolan-trained gelding just held on to beat Showman by a head. Nolan reported: “He certainly wasn’t doing much when he hit the front and I thought he was going to get caught but he had jumped slick and well. He came there travelling well, but you saw how much he found.

“He got confidence from winning at Clonmel the last day and has turned inside out. Maybe he needed that little time and we ride him a different way but we don’t do much with him at home.”

Como Park also only had a head to spare when taking the concluding Buy Tickets At www.corkracecourse.ie Handicap Hurdle under Rachael Blackmore.

Owned by the Nameless & Shameless Partnership, the Henry de Bromhead-trained 5/1 chance just got the better of a real battle with Tomjackwilliam.

De Bromhead said: “He toughed it out in fairness to him and I’m delighted for the guys, Gav, Tony and Jimmy who are but a few who are involved. He jumped way better today. We felt he was more suitable to nicer ground but I’m delighted with how he ran.”

SOLITARY Man took the third blacktype race on the card, leading two out on his way to a 5/2 win in the Listed Paddy Power “I Still Call It Twitter” Irish EBF Novice Hurdle.

Carrying the colours of Mrs Paul Shanahan, the Enda Bolger-trained five-year-old stayed on strongly for a two-and-a-half length victory. Bolger later reported: “Darragh (O’Keeffe) said he’s manning up all the time and his jumping is excellent. After the last day here, I was saying that he had been busy enough and would we leave him alone, but I just saw the entries and said we’d have a shot at it.

“I don’t know what I’ll do now - he definitely likes nice ground and I’d prefer to put him away. He’s only five and if they are good, they are worth minding so we mightn’t see him now until the spring. Fences will be his real thing, so maybe we could eventually look at a beginners chase at Killarney.”

O’Keeffe was recording a double, having earlier won the second division of the Paddy Power From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast Maiden Hurdle on Flamborough (7/4 favourite). Leading at the third last, the four-year-old gelding powered clear on the run-in for an easy six-and-a-half length win.

Trainer Tom Gibney said of the impressive victor: “He hasn’t put a foot wrong since we bought him just over a year ago and has been consistent and solid. He is improving bit by bit and on paper he was the one to beat and thankfully he won.

“He has plenty of experience now and hopefully he will scrape into the decent handicap hurdles now, as he’d run from low weights. I’m thrilled for Seamus (Kiernan, from Co Cavan) as well, as this is his first horse and his first venture into the game.”

The first division of that Paddy Power From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast Maiden Hurdle also saw a winning favourite in the shape of Gordon Elliott’s Dee Capo (8/13).

Owned by David L’Estrange, the recent Galway bumper winner made the perfect start to his hurdling career, landing the odds by an easy six lengths.

Winning jockey Jack Kennedy said: “He jumped well, had a little look around in front but you’d forgive him that. In a better race with a lead, he’ll be a better horse again and he loved that ground. I’d say he is a chaser in the making.”