Tough Ghost completes his hat-trick

Corbally Ghost further enhanced his reputation by taking the first of three Graded races at Cork this afternoon, the Grade 3 Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle for his trainer Noel Meade with Davy Condon aboard.

The 4yo son of Central Park was completing a hat-trick of wins today having won a bumper on his seasonal debut at Thurles last month before following up with a determined display in a 2m 4f maiden hurdle at Punchestown.

Having opened on track at 5/2 he drifted out to 10/3 with the money coming for the Robert Tyner trained Daring Article who was backed from 5/2 into 2/1 favourite.

The winner delivered his challenge at the third last and soon led, keeping on well under pressure from there to hold off the challenge of Best Served Cold by a length and three parts.

The runner-up was impeded by the winner at the second last and had to be switched by his rider Davy Russell.

The favourite Daring Article also didn’t have the easiest of runs as he slipped on landing three out and lost momentum as a result eventually finishing three and three parts of a length back in third under Philip Enright.

Winning trainer Noel Meade was recording an across the card double having took the opener at Navan with Please Talk

Winning rider Davy Condon said afterwards: "He is very tough. I was worried about getting him home so I dropped him in.

"He jumped great and it was a very good performance from a 4yo. He showed plenty of heart I think he is a very good horse and will make a nice chaser."