Tom Hogan trained his first winner since the demise of his superstar Gordon Lord Byron when Nebo sprang a surprise in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Habitat' Premier Handicap at Cork.

A classy type in his time with Charlie Hills, Nebo came back to that sort of form today at odds of 50/1, with Wayne Lordan aboard for the first time.

Tracking the leaders early, the Kodiac gelding made headway to lead after a furlong and a half.

The five-year-old asserted early in the straight and was three lengths clear two furlongs out.

Pushed along and extending that advantage to five over a furlong out, Nebo was ridden and kept on well inside the final furlong to account for Ice Cold In Alex by three and a half lengths.

"He has had a lot of problems; he had a very good run at the Curragh last year over a mile and was in such good form the following day he reared up and slapped over and broke his wither,” said Hogan.

“So he’s about an inch and a half smaller than he was last year and it took a lot of time and patience to get him back.

"Everything settled back but it took him a while to get going. His owners had the patience to wait and thankfully they were rewarded.

"Maybe we might look at the mile handicap at Galway or else go for a Listed race; it is depending on what attitude the handicapper takes.

"He is an exciting horse, he is only a small horse but carried 9st11lbs today."

R.P. Whelan, rider of Equitant (GB) trained by M.Halford, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped very quickly.

The Stewards requested a report from T. Hogan, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Nebo, placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer stated that his charge was formerly rated 108 and had shown plenty of ability in the past and felt the application of blinkers instead of cheekpieces on this occasion had helped to bring about the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the report, the Stewards noted the explanation offered.

R.P. Whelan, rider of Equitant (GB) trained by M.Halford, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped very quickly.

(TW & EM)