John O'Riordan
Nephin Beg a 33/1 winner of Cork finale
Nephin Beg and Jordan Gainford win the Finbarr Quaid Electrical Novice Handicap Hurdle
© Photo Healy Racing
Nephin Beg stayed on dourly to cause a 33/1 upset in the concluding Finbarr Quaid Electrical Novice Handicap Hurdle at Cork.
From a long way out this race really only concerned the winner and runner up Positive Thinker The latter seemed to be getting the worst of the argument when landing awkwardly two out but to his credit he kept in there.
Cathal Landers got more from an ever willing Positive Thinker inside the last 200 yards and he ran on strongly but just found the line coming too soon.
Sean Thomas Doyle was out of luck with Moonbeg Park earlier in the afternoon but gained some consolation here.
The winning trainer said; "he had a lovely first run, I fancied him in a maiden hurdle at Wexford the last day but when the horses came around him, he backed out of it. I said to Jordan today to buck him out, keep him happy and he did exactly what we thought he could do.
"We are over the moon as Martin Doyle, a far off relation of mine, wanted a horse for a while, I told him to hold on as we'd pick him out something and bought this horse fairly cheap as a store.
"Hopefully he will improve and is by Ocovango so will stay all day. He could appear in Limerick over Christmas. We had a good weekend as we had a nice four year old mare who won in Borris point to point."
He added "we only have four horses for the track and were a bit disappointed with Monbeg Park earlier but I'd say Henry's (De Bromhead) horse is good. Maybe dropping back to 2m4f might suit and I wouldn't write him off yet."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes