A QUICKFIRE double for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe at Cork on Friday last, later turned into an across the card treble for the former, with Lucky Zebo rounding of a fruitful evening for the Knockeen handler in the last at Kilbeggan.

The lesser fancied of two de Bromhead representatives in the opening Sign Up To Our Newsletter Maiden Hurdle, Bojak (12/1) finished strongly to collar the 1/2 favourite Hypotenus.

While the market leader set a strong pace from the front, he ultimately couldn’t hold off the patiently-ridden Benjamin Halsall-owned victor, with half a length between them at the line.

“We said we’d drop him in today and see,” de Bromhead commented. “I’d say the front few horses might have gone a bit too hard and the race fell apart in the end. He saw it out well and I’m delighted for Ben who claimed him in France.”

With a mark of 124, Great Bear deservedly made the breakthrough over flights in the Buy Tickets On www.corkracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle.

Completing the de Bromhead, O’Keeffe brace, the well-bred son of Dansili was sent off the 7/4 favourite in the colours of Envirogreen Housing Services Ltd.

Settled behind the leaders, the seven-year-old improved to the front before three out and while not fluent at the last, he kept on well for pressure, coming home four and a half lengths clear.

“Darragh was brilliant and knows him better than anyone. He is a lovely horse and off 124 I thought he was entitled to have a go in a maiden,” de Bromhead stated. “He could go to Galway now for a novice hurdle.”

PROMISING conditional Kieran Callaghan saw his claim reduced to 5lb, after partnering Winter Fog to victory in the feature RCB Brewin Dolphin Hurdle.

By far the highest rated runner in the line-up, the Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old went off the clear market leader at 1/2.

Sent to the front entering the straight, he jumped badly right at the next two, but battled on gamely in the closing stages to see off the effort of Gallant John Joe by two and three quarters of a length.

“He is a real fun horse who is owned by the three-member Triple Lock Partnership. It includes James Lochran, who I went to school with and his friends Ian and Ronnie Lawrie,” Patrick Mullins, representing his father, reported.

“He was very well in at the weights and the race conditions suited. He will keep mixing it now and could go back on the level at Galway.”

Gamble landed

Callaghan had to settle for fourth aboard Whatsstoppingyou in the Mallow Handicap Hurdle, with Sheer Bravado landing a gamble on his first start in over 19 months.

Making his debut for Sean Aherne, the Fracas six-year-old was available at 40/1 in early shows for this extended two-mile contest, eventually going off at just 13/2 in the colours of Joe Taylor.

In front from flag fall under Phillip Enright, the 89-rated bay wasn’t fluent at times, but ultimately ran out a cosy winner, with a length and three quarters the margin of victory.

“We were concerned about him settling. We thought if he didn’t do too much that he would be very competitive,” Aherne said of the three-time flat winner.

“I’ll chat to Joe, who has been very patient, but we will probably stay going the hurdles route for a while.”