Mossey Joe a star on the up

National Hunt fans weren't long about getting a performance to start the blood flowing as in Cork's second race Mossey Joe put up a mightily impressive display under Andrew Leigh to land the Grade 3 O'Connell Group Cork Stay rs Novice Hurdle.

Unbeaten in a couple of points and a hunter chase, the big son of Moscow Society (17.2 hands) refused to settle but it made no difference to what he produced at the business end as he strode away up the straight to easily account for Fists Of Fury by an unflattering nine lengths.

Winning trainer Willie Austin said: "I'm not surprised he won like that, sure he never came off the bridle to win before. He was never away for a gallop before today though and that should bring him on another stone.

"He is a more of a chaser really though but he might go in another one of those (a hurdle). The Irish National would be his main aim as he jumps well.

"He'd be better off in front. He had to come here though as there were no chases for him. There was only one three miler and that was in Leopardstown at Christmas."