Band rolls on at Cork

Band Of Blood a point-to-point winner at Rathcannon as a four-year-old, opened his account over fences at the first time of asking on the track by landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase at Cork.

Bryan Cooper sent the Gigginstown gelding to the front before two out but had to dig deep on the run-in to hold the renewed effort of Lots Of Memories

The Philip Fenton-trained son of King’s Theatre had a neck to spare at the line as the pair pulled over four lengths clear of The Crafty Butcher in third.

Band Of Blood was also previously the winner of a bumper plus three hurdle races including a handicap at this venue in May.

Fenton said, “He was just about fit enough to start off. He won a point-to-point for Pat Doyle so had experience jumping, and I’d say he’ll go for a winners of one next.”

Cooper said, “He’ll be a better chaser than a hurdler, and he outstayed them more than anything.”