In-form R'evelyn Pleasure more than sprightly in Cork

R'evelyn Pleasure showed that there is plenty of dash in his 12-year-old legs when forcing the favourite to crack in the EASYFIX Handicap Steeplechase at Cork.

He looked vulnerable when Bladur's Gate (2/1f) arrived on the scene to pick up a narrow lead at the last, however, he fairly scooted home on the testing ground on the run-in to see off the favourite by half a length at 13/2. Street Value completed the placings in third at 13/2, beaten just over five lengths by the victor.

Sean O'Brien said: "I had to run him back so quick as he came out of Limerick well. They went no gallop at Limerick, he found things so easy so I had to run him. 

"He ran well in this race a few years ago and I liked him coming today as it was a small field and Mark (McDonagh) kept it simple. He toughed it out well and is really enjoying his racing. The plan is to go to Thurles, over 2m6f, in 15 days time.

"We had this horse's grandam who I won two bumpers on (in 1996/7) and my uncle and cousins, who part-own this horse, have been involved with this pedigree forever and a day. 

"Mark (McDonagh, owner) has just gone out foreign so has missed today, but I'm delighted for him and also for a cousin and part-owner Ellen O'Brien who had baby Lily a few days ago."

R'evelyn Pleasure delivered over an extended 2m6f in a veterans' handicap chase at Limerick over Christmas.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes