Cotter off the mark with Uncle Albert

Trainer Kieran Cotter got off the mark for the new flat season today, winning Cork's Buy Annual Membership Today Handicap with Uncle Albert (2/1), under former champion jockey Declan McDonogh.

McDonogh, champion rider in 2006 and who this month partnered a first stakes winner for trainer Aidan O'Brien, improved Uncle Albert to lead over a furlong out before beating Nika Pika by 3.75 lengths.

Cotter commented “I said before coming down that I'd have been gutted if this lad had been beaten so it is great to get off the mark for year. He worked very well during the week, is tough, genuine, loves the ground and had good form last year.

“He has improved and he can go through that ground. Declan said he caught him out as he fell asleep halfway through the race but said he went with him when he asked. He probably won too far but on that ground what can you do.

“We have had great luck with his sire Dragon Pulse and hopefully now there could be a nice pot in him. He would be ground dependent though so I'm the only one hoping it keeps raining!”