American Job got the better of a prolonged battle with Skorcher to take the first division of the 2m4f maiden hurdle at Cork.

The pair fought it out for the length of the straight with the Tom Nagle-trained gelding edging ahead at the last and going on to beat the 4/7 favourite by three lengths.

"He looks a fair horse - he was very green," said Nagle.

"He had his head in the air and was off the bridle four out but Stephen (Gray) gave him a squeeze and he came back on it.

"He's big and backward. Stephen said he was confident he would win all the way down the straight.

"He won't run for a while now. He could maybe turn out again at Christmas."