Kerrie an easy winner of the Cork opener

Kerrieonvic ran out a very easy winner of the opener at Cork, the Friday Evening Racing (QR) Maiden Hurdle, scoring under Barry O’Neill for Charles Byrnes.

The seven-year-old son of Old Vic finished second on his four previous attempts over hurdles, and he was just half a length behind subsequent Cheltenham winner Don Poli on his penultimate start at Thurles in January.

Upped in trip to three miles for the first time today, the bay victor was sent off the even money favourite, and he cruised into the lead before the second last, stretching clear on the run-in to score easily by seven and a half lengths. Charles Magnes had to settle for second at 5/2 under Colman Sweeney for Denise Foster, while Casino Markets was a further back three and three parts of a length back in third under Richie Kiely for Philip Fenton at 7/1.

Charles Byrnes said afterwards: "He had some good form, and I think he will be left off now unless he goes for a handicap at Punchestown, but I’ll leave it up to the owners.

"We are delighted to get the win and he will definitely jump a fence next season."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes