Review CORK 18TH MAY

Grecian Dancer was easy enough to back for the Ballyclough H'cap in the face of support for If Paradise (9/2 in the morning into 5/2 favourite) but the market proved well off the mark.

Bidding for her third success of the season and her fourth overall, Grecian Dancer was attempting to make it three from four after finding Cheyenne Star (a serious performance) 3 1/2L superior at Gowran last time.

With regular rider, Fran Berry in the plate, the daughter of Dansili got to the front with a furlong to run and went on to beat the never nearer, Coseadrom by 1 3/4L.

A 100,000 guineas yearling, she is a half-sister to five furlong Flying Childers Stakes winner, Wunders Dream (by Averti) and that breeding was in evidence here as she clocked 56.14 seconds.

Charles O'Brien, trainer of Grecian Dancer, and Fran Berry completed a 47/1 double in the following Tallow H'cap. Monthly Medal found takers at morning offers of 10/1, being returned a 7/1 chance.

Drawn on the rail, eighteen of eighteen for this 7f contest, the top-weight made all, staying on well under pressure from over a furlong out to beat Hanicor (drawn 16) by 1 1/2L.

On an evening when the Cork Racecourse Mallow 10th Anniversary Maiden was run, it was appropriate that O'Brien should saddle a brace being the son of Life President, Dr. Michael Vincent O'Brien.

Vincent owns Grecian Dancer and Charles said of the 4yo, 'that might be it now for h'caps. She is in the Ballyogan Stakes at Leopardstown next month and will probably be sold at the end of the year.'

In the anniversary race, Sorolla, available at 4/6 in the morning and backed into 1/2, did exactly what his supporters expected over the mile and a quarter trip.

A half-brother to the Prix Morny winner and successful stallion, Orpen, the Aidan O'Brien-trained, Seamie Heffernan-ridden, Sorolla made all, quickening clear early in the straight, staying on strongly for a 13L win.

The defection of the 9/10 favourite, Scupio, on veterinary advice at the start, led to a 50 cent Rule 4 deduction in the opener. Chinese Temple ran out a good winner in any event.

Trained in Mitchelstown by former professional jockey, Danny O'Sullivan, Wayne Lordan's mount became the sixth individual winner in England and Ireland for first crop sire, Choisir.

Nine to two in the morning and 4/1 into 7/2 on track, Chinese Temple made all, quickening clear inside the final furlong to easily defeat Dream Rainbow by 2 1/2L.

O'Sullivan, trainer of that good chaser, Benefit Night, said of his fast juvenile, 'he is a fair horse - the real deal, with a great attitude and he did it the hard way there.

'Fifty eight seconds is fair tipping and he improved a good bit from his first run and he will probably go for the Marble Hill Stakes now at the Curragh.'

Derrygowna Court had luck on her side when victorious first between the flags' and she had a little bit of good fortune again when getting off the mark under Rules in the valuable mares chase.

Coppervega (a half-sister to Monty's Pass) was clear when blundering and unseating Martin Ferris at the fourth last. Lugante, the second favourite had departed at the first.

Owned by Brid Murphy (breeder of War Of Attrition), trained by Mick Winters and ridden by Davy Russell, Derrygowna Court led two out and was soon clear for an un-extended 7L win.

Mounthenry made it a double for Davy Russell on the evening in the beginners chase. The 4/6 favourite quickened well on the run-in to beat Feel Good Factor by 2L. Saturday's Kilbeggan entry, Crossbarry Boy was 11L back in third.

Charles Byrnes of course landed a gamble with the Russell-partnered Third Level Tom at Exeter on Wednesday and he said of his Mounthenry, 'hopefully that will do his confidence good and it is just nice to see him back.'

Des Kenneally, a Cork trainer, registered his first winner when Collou caused a 33/1 shock in the bumper. This one carried a Kilworth & Araglen cert when unseating in a couple of point-to-points.

Sean Allen from Araglen did the steering and this was his first success under Rules to add to four gained in points.' Allen, a cousin of professional jockey Johnny Allen, has partnered winners for Denis O'Herlihy, Larry Quinn, Mary Buttimer and Eleanor Broderick in the past in that sphere.

Eamonn Murphy