The Job Is Right showed his fortitude in fending off Band Of Blood to land the spoils in the Grade 3 staying novice hurdle in Cork.

Always in the front rank, Michael Hourigan’s charge looked as though he would be swallowed up by Band Of Blood and 11/8 favourite Lots Of Memories who swept into contention round the outside as the horses raced towards the third last.

Adrian Heskin on board The Job Is Right was soon in the drive position on the inside. Lots Of Memories on the extreme outside was first to crack though as he began to tread water.

Over the last The Job Is Right and Band Of Blood fought hammer and tongs, but as the post loomed The Job Is Right pulled away to beat his rival by three and a quarter lengths at odds of 6/1.

“I think he’s a better horse than this. It was his first time getting his trip. He got run out of it a few times in the past and had a few hard luck stories, but he’s a fair horse,” handler Michael Hourigan, who turned 66 today, said.

“I still have the four miler in Cheltenham in mind for him next March. I school my horses a lot and he has a lot of jumping done over fences and the quicker he was going the better he was jumping.

“We’ll probably go for something at Limerick over Christmas with him next as there’s no point trying to beat Willie (Mullins)! It’s a good birthday present.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes