Joy rallies gamely to score on chase debut

Seamus Neville's Joy Of Life rallied gamely on the run-in to get back up and claim the beginners chase at Cork.

The Libertarian gelding cut out the running in the two-and-a-half mile contest, with Ennemi Public but was headed after a slight mistake three from home. Trishknowsbest had come to lead at that fence as Hard Rain also tried to throw down a challenge.

The former had a narrow advantage over the last but J J Slevin got a good tune from Joy Of Life on the run-in and he got up close home for a length victory.

The 4/1 winner was runner-up in an 'unplaced' maiden hurdle at Clonmel last month and was making his first start over fences having also been second in a point-to-point.

Slevin said afterwards:- "Seamus' team are in right form and he's having a right good year and I'm lucky to get the call up.

"Sean O'Keeffe said to put the cheekpieces on him after the last run and he probably needed them, they helped him out. The horses are good and fit and he stuck it out well to the line.

"Trishknowsbest was a decent mare over hurdles and went by me looking to be travelling quite easily but luckily we wore her down.

“We'll see what kind of handicap mark he gets but he copes with that ground and a big fence so I'm sure they'll have fun with him."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)