Whisky Sour denies Darver Star in thriller

Whiskey Sour just held the renewed effort of Darver Star to win the Hothouse Flowers Play Live After Racing Hurdle at Cork.

Despite just the six going to post, the race had the makings of a decent contest, with a number of old favourites doing battle. Off You Go led for much of the race but was headed by former Champion Hurdle third Darver Star turning into the straight.

The latter looked to be going best at that stage but Sean O'Keeffe had yet to play his cards on Whiskey Sour. He had to work hard to get to the the leader but led over the last and went on.

However, Darver Star wasn't done with and fought back strongly to just fail to get up.

Sean O'Keeffe said; "I had sat on him at home but that was my first time riding him in a race and Ruby (Walsh) and Paul (Townend) told me about him. He is a great little horse and it is great to get another win with him.

"He is very game because he didn't travel as sweet as he can into the race and the more I asked him in the straight, the more he was finding. He really tried, got a good jump at the last and battled well.

"He's not overly big and isn't getting younger for the big handicaps so it was a good race to pick out and nice he won."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes