Barry Geraghty and Paul Carberry both recorded doubles at Cork on Saturday, with the former partnering the potentially useful pair Kicking King and Soltero.
Kicking King, runner-up to Solerina at Navan last month, gave the form of James Bowe's mare a further boost when easily landing the odds in the winners hurdle. The Old Vic gelding stretched clear after the second last to beat The Dark Flasher by eight lengths, and is a 28/1 chance with Cashmans for the Supreme Novices Hurdle. 'He did what you would expect him to do, and he's learning all the time. The plan now is to go for the Grade 2 Byrne Group Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on February 2, and hopefully he will make a better chaser than a hurdler,' said trainer Tom Taaffe.
Soltero, a faller on his previous two starts, got his act together in the beginners chase. Jessica Harrington's charge had just headed The Gatherer when that rival made a bad blunder at the last, leaving him to come home four lengths clear of the staying on Goldnecu. 'Basically he's a good jumper, and Barry said they went a steady pace which suited as he got his confidence. He'll go now for a winners race,' said Mrs Harrington, who plans to be double-handed with Spirit Leader and Evening Scent in the Pierse Hurdle.
The Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown next Sunday is also on the agenda for Aquila Oculus after the Tony Mullins-trained mare defied top-weight in the mares handicap hurdle.
Pa Murphy celebrated his 24th birthday in style when sending her past the front-running Lime Supreme at the second last to score by a comfortable four lengths. 'She was meant to go for a mares hurdle at Sandown today but that meeting was called off. She only has 9.02 in the Pierse Hurdle, but the weights are likely to go up plus she will get a penalty for this win,' said Mullins. Cashmans introduced Aquila Oculus at 16/1 in their Pierse Hurdle betting behind 8/1 favourite Janidou.
Mr Sneaky Boo could be another in the Pierse Hurdle line-up after taking the two and a half miles handicap hurdle. 'It's the first time he has tried the trip, and I was not sure if he would get it but he's stayed it well,' said trainer Michael Hourigan, after Paul Carberry eased him to the front at the final flight to beat Reminiscer by two lengths.
Carberry was completing a quick double as Dee-One-O-One earlier recorded her second win in the space of four days when narrowly justifying favouritism in the handicap chase. Pat Martin's charge smoothly moved to the front after two out but was briefly headed on the run-in before getting back up in the final strides to deny Rattothetattat by a head. 'She has been a bit unlucky in the past but jumped terrific today, and we will probably give her a little break now,' said Martin.
Alan Magee
