Black Warrior holds a narrow lead in Cork© Photo Healy Racing
Phillip Enright booted home his second winner on Cork's card as Black Warrior (8/1) fended off the closers in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle.
The six-year-old gelding grabbed the lead from the gambled-on Coolmill between the final two hurdles
He kept on well after the last to prevail by half a length from that rival. Master Appeal at 8/1 closed to within a neck of Coolmill (18/1) with My Manekineko another neck down in fourth. Gusty Rocky lost a place on the run-in as he was squeezed out on the inner, when making headway, with just over 50 yards to race which led to a stewards enquiry. The placings remained unaltered.
"He didn't handle the ground in Galway the last day and never really travelled. It was quite good and he needs it on the quick side of good," handler Charles Byrnes said.
"We'll keep going as long as the ground stays good and there's a novice hurdle for him at Listowel next."
Runner-up Coolmill had been backed down from 50/1 to 16/1 before racing. His jockey, Cian Collins, put up 1lb overweight.
The Stewards enquired into possible interference inside the final furlong involving Gusty Rocky, ridden by R. Loughran, placed fifth, Black Warrior, ridden by P.T. Enright, placed first and Coolmill, ridden by C.M. Collins, placed second, where it appeared that both Gusty Rocky and Coolmill ran short of room when challenging Black Warrior. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Black Warrior in causing interference to Gusty Rocky and Coolmill had not improved his placing over either of them and therefore made no alteration to the Judges placings. They were, however, of the opinion that P.T. Enright had ridden carelessly and suspended him for one race day having taken his good previous record into consideration.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
