There was a local gamble in the first at Cork, East Beach finding 9/2 favouritism from 8/1 in the handicap hurdle, but it was the other Cork trained runner, Spiriton who caused a 14/1 surprise under Davy Russell for trainer Paul Cashman and owner Mike Smiddy.
Smiddy led the 14/1 chance up and he beat the 33/1 chance, Camarilla by four lengths. The German-bred gelding paid E21.60 on the Tote. Cashman was an absentee and he was represented by his brother-in-law, Franny Woods.
Russell went on to complete a fifty one and a half to one double in the following novice hurdle. Paddy The Ref was easy-to-back at 5/2 but when favourite Western Rose fell five out the door was left open. Paddy The Ref duly took his opportunity, overcoming a mistake at the last to beat King Of The Titans by four lengths.
Philip Fenton trains the Sligo bumper winner and he said: "Two miles is as far as he wants and he'd prefer better ground. He is not back in that long and will go for something similar, nothing fancy." (EM)
