Chead Solas gives a bright display at Cork

Chead Solas overcome an awkward jump at the last to take CorkRacecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle in the hands of J.J. Slevin.

A bumper winner in November 2018 at Punchestown, the Flemensfirth gelding has been lightly raced since and this was his first appearance since last October.

He seemed to be going well from early in the straight as he tracked the leaders, but he got under the last when about to launch his challenge.

Despite looking a bit raw under pressure, he picked up well on the run-in as long-time leader Mr Lombardi could find no more. Chead Solas scored by a length and a half in the end from the staying-on Banogue’s Bonus, with Mr Lombardi third a place ahead of the one-paced 5/4 favourite Jack Hackett

Brendan Powell, assistant to winning trainer Joseph O’Brien, said: ”His last run was very disappointing but it rained and rained then and the ground went heavy. He travelled great but didn't get home and today the ground was still probably a bit on the slow side for him.

"Joseph has given him time and he is going to jump a fence in time.

"That's our first winner for the owners Rectory Road Holdings Limited."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes