Ballysteen wins dramatic opener

Ballysteen came home a cosy winner of the opening maiden hurdle at Cork after his task was made much easier at the first flight.

There was drama early in the two mile contest as Top Flower veered violently right at the first obstacle and dived through the rail.

She wiped out 7/4 joint-favourite Local Celebrity in the process and Patrick Mullins had no chance as he was unseated from his mount.

The other marker leader Ballysteen escaped the carnage and was left to track front-runner Captain Ocana

Davy Russell sent the Gigginstown-owned runner up to challenge at the third last and he soon edged ahead.

The Michael Hourigan-trained gelding kept on well when asked for an effort at the next and could afford to ease down close home to score by two-and-three-quarter lengths from the long-time leader.

The winner was following up a bumper success at the course last month and was recording his third career success having also landed a point-to-point.

"We'll take our time with him and find a winners of one," said Hourigan. "Without doubt he's a chaser in the making."