Elegant Statesman lords it at Cork Elegant Statesman (10/1) strode into the lead two and a half furlongs out in the closing bumper at Cork and galloped away for a comprehensive win with Kevin Power in the plate. The five-year-old son of Vinnie Roe got a lovely run down the inside and his long strides were seen to good effect on this improving ground. He beat Thekingofconnemara (16/1), who stayed on well on debut, by four lengths and Get Back To Me (16/1) by a further half a length. Timmy Hyde was pleased with his horse and said: “I think he’s a nice horse. He ran twice in point-to-points in heavy ground and after the second run we nearly lost him as he was so sick. That’s why he was off for so long. He’s a good jumper and he has a bit of pace.” Torn Asunder was well-backed to deliver for Gordon Elliott and Jamie Codd, but he was niggled at five furlongs out and ended up fifth. He was the 13/8 favourite, from a morning price of 7/2. (Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
