Review cork 4th Apr

< Massinga took the step up to Listed company in her stride as she completed a hat-trick of victories in the feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF Noblesse Stakes at Cork.

Sent off the 8-11 favourite after winning a handicap last time, Dermot Weld's filly travelled sweetly throughout the 12-furlong contest in the hands of Pat Smullen and was brought up to challenge for the lead a quarter of a mile out.< Altesse put up a good fight, but Massinga proved much the stronger through the final furlong and she forged clear to score by two and three-quarter lengths in the colours of the Aga Khan.

The victory was part of a treble for connections begun when newcomer Shahzeena sent off the 4-6 favourite for the Like Us On Facebook Median Auction Fillies Maiden, won with some authority, stretching two and three-quarter lengths clear in the closing stages.

The hat-trick came up when Summaya (10-1) led all the way in the Blackwater Maiden, seeing off the odds-on Hans Holbein to score by six lengths.

The defeat of Hans Holbein concluded a disappointing afternoon for former champion jockey Joseph O'Brien on his return to action on the Flat as he had finished last on his only other mount, East India in the www.corkracecourse.ie Rated Race.

Ken Condon's 7-2 shot Success Days came out on top in this tricky little contest, beating off long-time leader Postulation after a sustained duel and asserting to score by a length in the hands of Shane Foley.

Paul Deegan's 8-1 shot Papa's Way ran over extreme distances last season but the drop down to 10 furlongs proved no hindrance in the Cork Handicap, Chris Hayes making full use of his stamina to lead all the way and win by two and three-quarter lengths.

Rory Cleary brought Never Again (28-1) with a long run from the rear to grab the Follow Us On Twitter Handicap by a head, and completed a double when leading all the way for a gutsy half-length success on Cash Or Casualty (14-1) in the Newmarket Handicap.